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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,788 GS-4 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2019)
$43,920 GS-4 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2019)
+$7,555 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-4 pay table for SAN DIEGO

Each step below already includes the 28.80% 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 $33,788 $1,299.54 $16.19 +$7,555
Step 2 $34,914 $1,342.85 $16.73 +$7,807
Step 3 $36,040 $1,386.15 $17.27 +$8,059
Step 4 $37,165 $1,429.42 $17.81 +$8,310
Step 5 $38,291 $1,472.73 $18.35 +$8,562
Step 6 $39,417 $1,516.04 $18.89 +$8,814
Step 7 $40,542 $1,559.31 $19.43 +$9,065
Step 8 $41,668 $1,602.62 $19.97 +$9,317
Step 9 $42,794 $1,645.92 $20.51 +$9,569
Step 10 $43,920 $1,689.23 $21.04 +$9,821
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,233
  • SAN DIEGO GS-4 Step 1 $33,788
  • Locality add-on +$7,555
  • Adjustment percent 28.80%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,099
  • SAN DIEGO GS-4 Step 10 $43,920

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 DIEGO: what to expect

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

For 2019, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 28.80% 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 DIEGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $1,300 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,689. 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 SAN DIEGO page.

Other grades in SAN DIEGO

GS-4 in SAN DIEGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in SAN DIEGO?
    In 2019, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $33,788 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,920. This is 28.80% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in SAN DIEGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SAN DIEGO in 2019, it is 28.80%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,555 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in SAN DIEGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $1,300 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.