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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,069 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2020)
$49,487 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2020)
+$11,154 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 41.44% 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 $38,069 $1,464.19 $18.24 +$11,154
Step 2 $39,337 $1,512.96 $18.85 +$11,525
Step 3 $40,606 $1,561.77 $19.46 +$11,897
Step 4 $41,875 $1,610.58 $20.06 +$12,269
Step 5 $43,143 $1,659.35 $20.67 +$12,640
Step 6 $44,412 $1,708.15 $21.28 +$13,012
Step 7 $45,681 $1,756.96 $21.89 +$13,384
Step 8 $46,950 $1,805.77 $22.50 +$13,756
Step 9 $48,218 $1,854.54 $23.10 +$14,127
Step 10 $49,487 $1,903.35 $23.71 +$14,499
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,915
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $38,069
  • Locality add-on +$11,154
  • Adjustment percent 41.44%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,988
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $49,487

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 2020, the San Francisco pay area adds a 41.44% 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 $1,464 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,903. 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 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 2020, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $38,069 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,487. This is 41.44% 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 2020, it is 41.44%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,154 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 $1,464 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.