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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,656 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2022)
$51,552 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2022)
+$11,874 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 42.74% 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 $39,656 $1,525.23 $19.00 +$11,874
Step 2 $40,978 $1,576.08 $19.63 +$12,270
Step 3 $42,300 $1,626.92 $20.27 +$12,666
Step 4 $43,621 $1,677.73 $20.90 +$13,061
Step 5 $44,943 $1,728.58 $21.53 +$13,457
Step 6 $46,265 $1,779.42 $22.17 +$13,853
Step 7 $47,587 $1,830.27 $22.80 +$14,249
Step 8 $48,908 $1,881.08 $23.43 +$14,644
Step 9 $50,230 $1,931.92 $24.07 +$15,040
Step 10 $51,552 $1,982.77 $24.70 +$15,436
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $27,782
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $39,656
  • Locality add-on +$11,874
  • Adjustment percent 42.74%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $36,116
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $51,552

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 2022, the San Francisco pay area adds a 42.74% 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 $1,525 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,983. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 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 2022, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $39,656 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,552. This is 42.74% 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 2022, it is 42.74%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,874 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 $1,525 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.