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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,033 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2018)
$46,838 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2018)
+$10,162 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 39.28% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,033 $1,385.88 $17.27 +$10,162
Step 2 $37,234 $1,432.08 $17.84 +$10,501
Step 3 $38,434 $1,478.23 $18.42 +$10,839
Step 4 $39,635 $1,524.42 $18.99 +$11,178
Step 5 $40,836 $1,570.62 $19.57 +$11,517
Step 6 $42,036 $1,616.77 $20.14 +$11,855
Step 7 $43,237 $1,662.96 $20.72 +$12,194
Step 8 $44,437 $1,709.12 $21.29 +$12,532
Step 9 $45,638 $1,755.31 $21.87 +$12,871
Step 10 $46,838 $1,801.46 $22.44 +$13,209
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,871
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $36,033
  • Locality add-on +$10,162
  • Adjustment percent 39.28%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $33,629
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $46,838

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-4 in San Francisco: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2018, the San Francisco pay area adds a 39.28% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in San Francisco

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $1,386 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,801. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 San Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-4 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in San Francisco?
    In 2018, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $36,033 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,838. This is 39.28% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in San Francisco?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For San Francisco in 2018, it is 39.28%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,162 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in San Francisco?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns roughly $1,386 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.