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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$38,179 GS-4 Step 1 in San Diego (2023)
$49,632 GS-4 Step 10 in San Diego (2023)
+$9,258 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-4 pay table for San Diego

Each step below already includes the 32.01% 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 $38,179 $1,468.42 $18.29 +$9,258
Step 2 $39,451 $1,517.35 $18.90 +$9,566
Step 3 $40,724 $1,566.31 $19.51 +$9,875
Step 4 $41,996 $1,615.23 $20.12 +$10,183
Step 5 $43,269 $1,664.19 $20.73 +$10,492
Step 6 $44,541 $1,713.12 $21.34 +$10,800
Step 7 $45,814 $1,762.08 $21.95 +$11,109
Step 8 $47,087 $1,811.04 $22.56 +$11,418
Step 9 $48,359 $1,859.96 $23.17 +$11,726
Step 10 $49,632 $1,908.92 $23.78 +$12,035
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $28,921
  • San Diego GS-4 Step 1 $38,179
  • Locality add-on +$9,258
  • Adjustment percent 32.01%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $37,597
  • San Diego GS-4 Step 10 $49,632

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 2023, the San Diego pay area adds a 32.01% 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 $1,468 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,909. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 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 2023, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $38,179 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $49,632. This is 32.01% 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 2023, it is 32.01%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,258 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 $1,468 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.