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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,247 GS-4 Step 1 in Washington DC (2025)
$53,627 GS-4 Step 10 in Washington DC (2025)
+$10,452 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-4 pay table for Washington DC

Each step below already includes the 33.94% 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 $41,247 $1,586.42 $19.76 +$10,452
Step 2 $42,622 $1,639.31 $20.42 +$10,800
Step 3 $43,998 $1,692.23 $21.08 +$11,149
Step 4 $45,374 $1,745.15 $21.74 +$11,498
Step 5 $46,749 $1,798.04 $22.40 +$11,846
Step 6 $48,125 $1,850.96 $23.06 +$12,195
Step 7 $49,500 $1,903.85 $23.72 +$12,543
Step 8 $50,876 $1,956.77 $24.38 +$12,892
Step 9 $52,251 $2,009.65 $25.04 +$13,240
Step 10 $53,627 $2,062.58 $25.70 +$13,589
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Washington DC pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,795
  • Washington DC GS-4 Step 1 $41,247
  • Locality add-on +$10,452
  • Adjustment percent 33.94%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $40,038
  • Washington DC GS-4 Step 10 $53,627

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 Washington DC: what to expect

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

For 2025, the Washington DC pay area adds a 33.94% 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 Washington DC

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,586 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,063. 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 Washington DC page.

Other grades in Washington DC

GS-4 in Washington DC questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Washington DC?
    In 2025, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $41,247 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,627. This is 33.94% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in Washington DC?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Washington DC in 2025, it is 33.94%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,452 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Washington DC?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns roughly $1,586 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.