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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,542 GS-4 Step 1 in Washington DC (2022)
$47,503 GS-4 Step 10 in Washington DC (2022)
+$8,760 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-4 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 31.53% 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 $36,542 $1,405.46 $17.51 +$8,760
Step 2 $37,760 $1,452.31 $18.09 +$9,052
Step 3 $38,978 $1,499.15 $18.68 +$9,344
Step 4 $40,196 $1,546.00 $19.26 +$9,636
Step 5 $41,414 $1,592.85 $19.84 +$9,928
Step 6 $42,632 $1,639.69 $20.43 +$10,220
Step 7 $43,849 $1,686.50 $21.01 +$10,511
Step 8 $45,067 $1,733.35 $21.59 +$10,803
Step 9 $46,285 $1,780.19 $22.18 +$11,095
Step 10 $47,503 $1,827.04 $22.76 +$11,387
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $27,782
  • Washington DC GS-4 Step 1 $36,542
  • Locality add-on +$8,760
  • Adjustment percent 31.53%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $36,116
  • Washington DC GS-4 Step 10 $47,503

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 Washington DC: what to expect

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

For 2022, the Washington DC pay area adds a 31.53% 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 $1,405 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,827. 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 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-4 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Washington DC?
    In 2022, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $36,542 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,503. This is 31.53% 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 2022, it is 31.53%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,760 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 $1,405 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.