An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$44,030 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2024)
$57,235 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2024)
+$13,750 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 45.41% 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 $44,030 $1,693.46 $21.10 +$13,750
Step 2 $45,497 $1,749.88 $21.80 +$14,208
Step 3 $46,965 $1,806.35 $22.50 +$14,667
Step 4 $48,432 $1,862.77 $23.21 +$15,125
Step 5 $49,899 $1,919.19 $23.91 +$15,583
Step 6 $51,366 $1,975.62 $24.61 +$16,041
Step 7 $52,833 $2,032.04 $25.32 +$16,499
Step 8 $54,300 $2,088.46 $26.02 +$16,957
Step 9 $55,768 $2,144.92 $26.72 +$17,416
Step 10 $57,235 $2,201.35 $27.42 +$17,874
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,280
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $44,030
  • Locality add-on +$13,750
  • Adjustment percent 45.41%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $39,361
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $57,235

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 2024, the San Francisco pay area adds a 45.41% 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 $1,693 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,201. 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 Francisco page.

Other grades in San Francisco

GS-4 in San Francisco questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in San Francisco?
    In 2024, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $44,030 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $57,235. This is 45.41% 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 2024, it is 45.41%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,750 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 $1,693 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.