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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,818 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2019)
$47,858 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2019)
+$10,585 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 40.35% 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 $36,818 $1,416.08 $17.64 +$10,585
Step 2 $38,045 $1,463.27 $18.23 +$10,938
Step 3 $39,271 $1,510.42 $18.82 +$11,290
Step 4 $40,498 $1,557.62 $19.40 +$11,643
Step 5 $41,725 $1,604.81 $19.99 +$11,996
Step 6 $42,951 $1,651.96 $20.58 +$12,348
Step 7 $44,178 $1,699.15 $21.17 +$12,701
Step 8 $45,405 $1,746.35 $21.76 +$13,054
Step 9 $46,631 $1,793.50 $22.34 +$13,406
Step 10 $47,858 $1,840.69 $22.93 +$13,759
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,233
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $36,818
  • Locality add-on +$10,585
  • Adjustment percent 40.35%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,099
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $47,858

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 2019, the San Francisco pay area adds a 40.35% 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 $1,416 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,841. 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 Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-4 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in San Francisco?
    In 2019, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $36,818 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,858. This is 40.35% 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 2019, it is 40.35%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,585 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 $1,416 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.