2020 GS-4 Pay in Washington DC
GS-4 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 30.48% on top of the base GS-4 pay scale. That means a GS-4 Step 1 salary jumps from $26,915 on the base table to $35,119 in Washington DC.
2020 GS-4 Pay in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted GS-4 rates for Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $35,119 | $1,350.73 | $16.83 | +$8,204 |
| Step 2 | $36,289 | $1,395.73 | $17.39 | +$8,477 |
| Step 3 | $37,460 | $1,440.77 | $17.95 | +$8,751 |
| Step 4 | $38,630 | $1,485.77 | $18.51 | +$9,024 |
| Step 5 | $39,800 | $1,530.77 | $19.07 | +$9,297 |
| Step 6 | $40,971 | $1,575.81 | $19.63 | +$9,571 |
| Step 7 | $42,141 | $1,620.81 | $20.19 | +$9,844 |
| Step 8 | $43,312 | $1,665.85 | $20.75 | +$10,118 |
| Step 9 | $44,482 | $1,710.85 | $21.31 | +$10,391 |
| Step 10 | $45,652 | $1,755.85 | $21.87 | +$10,664 |
2020 GS-4 pay table for Washington DC
Each step below already includes the 30.48% 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 | $35,119 | $1,350.73 | $16.83 | +$8,204 |
| Step 2 | $36,289 | $1,395.73 | $17.39 | +$8,477 |
| Step 3 | $37,460 | $1,440.77 | $17.95 | +$8,751 |
| Step 4 | $38,630 | $1,485.77 | $18.51 | +$9,024 |
| Step 5 | $39,800 | $1,530.77 | $19.07 | +$9,297 |
| Step 6 | $40,971 | $1,575.81 | $19.63 | +$9,571 |
| Step 7 | $42,141 | $1,620.81 | $20.19 | +$9,844 |
| Step 8 | $43,312 | $1,665.85 | $20.75 | +$10,118 |
| Step 9 | $44,482 | $1,710.85 | $21.31 | +$10,391 |
| Step 10 | $45,652 | $1,755.85 | $21.87 | +$10,664 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Washington DC pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-4 in Washington DC: what to expect
Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.
For 2020, the Washington DC pay area adds a 30.48% 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 Washington DC
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,351 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,756. 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 Washington DC page.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-4 in Washington DC questions
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How much does a GS-4 make in Washington DC?
In 2020, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $35,119 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,652. This is 30.48% higher than the base GS-4 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in Washington DC?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2020, it is 30.48%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,204 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Washington DC?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,351 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.