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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,242 GS-4 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2021)
$47,113 GS-4 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2021)
+$9,058 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-4 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 33.32% 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 $36,242 $1,393.92 $17.37 +$9,058
Step 2 $37,450 $1,440.38 $17.94 +$9,360
Step 3 $38,657 $1,486.81 $18.52 +$9,661
Step 4 $39,865 $1,533.27 $19.10 +$9,963
Step 5 $41,073 $1,579.73 $19.68 +$10,265
Step 6 $42,281 $1,626.19 $20.26 +$10,567
Step 7 $43,489 $1,672.65 $20.84 +$10,869
Step 8 $44,697 $1,719.12 $21.42 +$11,171
Step 9 $45,905 $1,765.58 $22.00 +$11,473
Step 10 $47,113 $1,812.04 $22.57 +$11,775
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $27,184
  • HOUSTON GS-4 Step 1 $36,242
  • Locality add-on +$9,058
  • Adjustment percent 33.32%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $35,338
  • HOUSTON GS-4 Step 10 $47,113

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 HOUSTON: what to expect

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

For 2021, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 33.32% 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 HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,394 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,812. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-4 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2021, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $36,242 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,113. This is 33.32% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2021, it is 33.32%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,058 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $1,394 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.