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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,573 GS-4 Step 1 in Houston (2025)
$54,051 GS-4 Step 10 in Houston (2025)
+$10,778 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-4 pay table for Houston

Each step below already includes the 35.00% 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 $41,573 $1,598.96 $19.92 +$10,778
Step 2 $42,960 $1,652.31 $20.58 +$11,138
Step 3 $44,346 $1,705.62 $21.25 +$11,497
Step 4 $45,733 $1,758.96 $21.91 +$11,857
Step 5 $47,119 $1,812.27 $22.58 +$12,216
Step 6 $48,506 $1,865.62 $23.24 +$12,576
Step 7 $49,892 $1,918.92 $23.91 +$12,935
Step 8 $51,278 $1,972.23 $24.57 +$13,294
Step 9 $52,665 $2,025.58 $25.23 +$13,654
Step 10 $54,051 $2,078.88 $25.90 +$14,013
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Houston pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,795
  • Houston GS-4 Step 1 $41,573
  • Locality add-on +$10,778
  • Adjustment percent 35.00%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $40,038
  • Houston GS-4 Step 10 $54,051

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 Houston: what to expect

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

For 2025, the Houston pay area adds a 35.00% 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 Houston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $1,599 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,079. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-4 Houston page.

Other grades in Houston

GS-4 in Houston questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Houston?
    In 2025, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Houston earns $41,573 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,051. This is 35.00% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in Houston?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Houston in 2025, it is 35.00%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,778 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Houston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Houston earns roughly $1,599 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.