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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,208 GS-4 Step 1 in Rest of U.S. (2020)
$40,569 GS-4 Step 10 in Rest of U.S. (2020)
+$4,293 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-4 pay table for Rest of U.S.

Each step below already includes the 15.95% 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 $31,208 $1,200.31 $14.95 +$4,293
Step 2 $32,248 $1,240.31 $15.45 +$4,436
Step 3 $33,288 $1,280.31 $15.95 +$4,579
Step 4 $34,328 $1,320.31 $16.45 +$4,722
Step 5 $35,368 $1,360.31 $16.95 +$4,865
Step 6 $36,408 $1,400.31 $17.45 +$5,008
Step 7 $37,448 $1,440.31 $17.94 +$5,151
Step 8 $38,488 $1,480.31 $18.44 +$5,294
Step 9 $39,529 $1,520.35 $18.94 +$5,438
Step 10 $40,569 $1,560.35 $19.44 +$5,581
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Rest of U.S. pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,915
  • Rest of U.S. GS-4 Step 1 $31,208
  • Locality add-on +$4,293
  • Adjustment percent 15.95%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,988
  • Rest of U.S. GS-4 Step 10 $40,569

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 Rest of U.S.: what to expect

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

For 2020, the Rest of U.S. pay area adds a 15.95% 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 Rest of U.S.

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,200 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,560. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 Rest of U.S. page.

Other grades in Rest of U.S.

GS-4 in Rest of U.S. questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Rest of U.S.?
    In 2020, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns $31,208 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $40,569. This is 15.95% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in Rest of U.S.?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Rest of U.S. in 2020, it is 15.95%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,293 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Rest of U.S.?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Rest of U.S. earns roughly $1,200 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.