2021 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 $27,184 on the base table to $35,470 in Washington DC.
2021 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 | $35,470 | $1,364.23 | $17.00 | +$8,286 |
| Step 2 | $36,652 | $1,409.69 | $17.56 | +$8,562 |
| Step 3 | $37,834 | $1,455.15 | $18.13 | +$8,838 |
| Step 4 | $39,016 | $1,500.62 | $18.69 | +$9,114 |
| Step 5 | $40,198 | $1,546.08 | $19.26 | +$9,390 |
| Step 6 | $41,380 | $1,591.54 | $19.83 | +$9,666 |
| Step 7 | $42,563 | $1,637.04 | $20.39 | +$9,943 |
| Step 8 | $43,745 | $1,682.50 | $20.96 | +$10,219 |
| Step 9 | $44,927 | $1,727.96 | $21.53 | +$10,495 |
| Step 10 | $46,109 | $1,773.42 | $22.09 | +$10,771 |
2021 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 | $35,470 | $1,364.23 | $17.00 | +$8,286 |
| Step 2 | $36,652 | $1,409.69 | $17.56 | +$8,562 |
| Step 3 | $37,834 | $1,455.15 | $18.13 | +$8,838 |
| Step 4 | $39,016 | $1,500.62 | $18.69 | +$9,114 |
| Step 5 | $40,198 | $1,546.08 | $19.26 | +$9,390 |
| Step 6 | $41,380 | $1,591.54 | $19.83 | +$9,666 |
| Step 7 | $42,563 | $1,637.04 | $20.39 | +$9,943 |
| Step 8 | $43,745 | $1,682.50 | $20.96 | +$10,219 |
| Step 9 | $44,927 | $1,727.96 | $21.53 | +$10,495 |
| Step 10 | $46,109 | $1,773.42 | $22.09 | +$10,771 |
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 2021, 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 $1,364 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,773. 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 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 2021, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $35,470 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,109. 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 2021, it is 30.48%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,286 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 $1,364 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.