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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$40,288 GS-4 Step 1 in San Diego (2024)
$52,370 GS-4 Step 10 in San Diego (2024)
+$10,008 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-4 pay table for San Diego

Each step below already includes the 33.05% 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 $40,288 $1,549.54 $19.30 +$10,008
Step 2 $41,630 $1,601.15 $19.95 +$10,341
Step 3 $42,972 $1,652.77 $20.59 +$10,674
Step 4 $44,315 $1,704.42 $21.23 +$11,008
Step 5 $45,657 $1,756.04 $21.88 +$11,341
Step 6 $47,000 $1,807.69 $22.52 +$11,675
Step 7 $48,342 $1,859.31 $23.16 +$12,008
Step 8 $49,685 $1,910.96 $23.81 +$12,342
Step 9 $51,027 $1,962.58 $24.45 +$12,675
Step 10 $52,370 $2,014.23 $25.09 +$13,009
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Diego pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,280
  • San Diego GS-4 Step 1 $40,288
  • Locality add-on +$10,008
  • Adjustment percent 33.05%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $39,361
  • San Diego GS-4 Step 10 $52,370

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 2024, the San Diego pay area adds a 33.05% 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 $1,550 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,014. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 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 2024, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Diego earns $40,288 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $52,370. This is 33.05% 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 2024, it is 33.05%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,008 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 $1,550 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.