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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$45,065 GS-4 Step 1 in San Francisco (2025)
$58,592 GS-4 Step 10 in San Francisco (2025)
+$14,270 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-4 pay table for San Francisco

Each step below already includes the 46.34% 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 $45,065 $1,733.27 $21.59 +$14,270
Step 2 $46,568 $1,791.08 $22.31 +$14,746
Step 3 $48,071 $1,848.88 $23.03 +$15,222
Step 4 $49,574 $1,906.69 $23.75 +$15,698
Step 5 $51,077 $1,964.50 $24.47 +$16,174
Step 6 $52,580 $2,022.31 $25.19 +$16,650
Step 7 $54,083 $2,080.12 $25.91 +$17,126
Step 8 $55,586 $2,137.92 $26.63 +$17,602
Step 9 $57,089 $2,195.73 $27.35 +$18,078
Step 10 $58,592 $2,253.54 $28.07 +$18,554
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more San Francisco pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,795
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 1 $45,065
  • Locality add-on +$14,270
  • Adjustment percent 46.34%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $40,038
  • San Francisco GS-4 Step 10 $58,592

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 2025, the San Francisco pay area adds a 46.34% 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 $1,733 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,254. 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 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 2025, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in San Francisco earns $45,065 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $58,592. This is 46.34% 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 2025, it is 46.34%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,270 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 $1,733 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.