An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,769 GS-4 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2019)
$45,195 GS-4 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2019)
+$8,536 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-4 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 32.54% 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 $34,769 $1,337.27 $16.66 +$8,536
Step 2 $35,928 $1,381.85 $17.22 +$8,821
Step 3 $37,086 $1,426.38 $17.77 +$9,105
Step 4 $38,244 $1,470.92 $18.32 +$9,389
Step 5 $39,403 $1,515.50 $18.88 +$9,674
Step 6 $40,561 $1,560.04 $19.44 +$9,958
Step 7 $41,720 $1,604.62 $19.99 +$10,243
Step 8 $42,878 $1,649.15 $20.55 +$10,527
Step 9 $44,036 $1,693.69 $21.10 +$10,811
Step 10 $45,195 $1,738.27 $21.66 +$11,096
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,233
  • HOUSTON GS-4 Step 1 $34,769
  • Locality add-on +$8,536
  • Adjustment percent 32.54%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,099
  • HOUSTON GS-4 Step 10 $45,195

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 HOUSTON: what to expect

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

For 2019, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 32.54% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,337 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,738. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-4 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2019, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $34,769 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,195. This is 32.54% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2019, it is 32.54%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,536 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,337 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.