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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,277 GS-4 Step 1 in SAN DIEGO (2021)
$45,858 GS-4 Step 10 in SAN DIEGO (2021)
+$8,093 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-4 pay table for SAN DIEGO

Each step below already includes the 29.77% 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 $35,277 $1,356.81 $16.90 +$8,093
Step 2 $36,452 $1,402.00 $17.47 +$8,362
Step 3 $37,628 $1,447.23 $18.03 +$8,632
Step 4 $38,804 $1,492.46 $18.59 +$8,902
Step 5 $39,980 $1,537.69 $19.16 +$9,172
Step 6 $41,155 $1,582.88 $19.72 +$9,441
Step 7 $42,331 $1,628.12 $20.28 +$9,711
Step 8 $43,507 $1,673.35 $20.85 +$9,981
Step 9 $44,682 $1,718.54 $21.41 +$10,250
Step 10 $45,858 $1,763.77 $21.97 +$10,520
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more SAN DIEGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $27,184
  • SAN DIEGO GS-4 Step 1 $35,277
  • Locality add-on +$8,093
  • Adjustment percent 29.77%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $35,338
  • SAN DIEGO GS-4 Step 10 $45,858

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 DIEGO: what to expect

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

For 2021, the SAN DIEGO pay area adds a 29.77% 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 DIEGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $1,357 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,764. 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 SAN DIEGO page.

Other grades in SAN DIEGO

GS-4 in SAN DIEGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in SAN DIEGO?
    In 2021, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns $35,277 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,858. This is 29.77% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in SAN DIEGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For SAN DIEGO in 2021, it is 29.77%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,093 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in SAN DIEGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in SAN DIEGO earns roughly $1,357 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.