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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,690 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2023)
$54,196 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2023)
+$12,769 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 44.15% 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 $41,690 $1,603.46 $19.98 +$12,769
Step 2 $43,079 $1,656.88 $20.64 +$13,194
Step 3 $44,469 $1,710.35 $21.31 +$13,620
Step 4 $45,858 $1,763.77 $21.97 +$14,045
Step 5 $47,248 $1,817.23 $22.64 +$14,471
Step 6 $48,638 $1,870.69 $23.31 +$14,897
Step 7 $50,027 $1,924.12 $23.97 +$15,322
Step 8 $51,417 $1,977.58 $24.64 +$15,748
Step 9 $52,806 $2,031.00 $25.30 +$16,173
Step 10 $54,196 $2,084.46 $25.97 +$16,599
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $28,921
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $41,690
  • Locality add-on +$12,769
  • Adjustment percent 44.15%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $37,597
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $54,196

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 2023, the San Francisco pay area adds a 44.15% 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 $1,603 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,084. 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 Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-4 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in San Francisco?
    In 2023, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $41,690 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,196. This is 44.15% 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 2023, it is 44.15%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,769 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 $1,603 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.