2026 GS-4 Pay in Philadelphia
GS-4 employees with a duty station in Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD earn 28.99% on top of the base GS-4 pay scale. That means a GS-4 Step 1 salary jumps from $31,103 on the base table to $40,120 in Philadelphia.
2026 GS-4 Pay in Philadelphia
Locality-adjusted GS-4 rates for Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $40,120 | $1,543.08 | $19.22 | +$9,017 |
| Step 2 | $41,457 | $1,594.50 | $19.86 | +$9,317 |
| Step 3 | $42,795 | $1,645.96 | $20.51 | +$9,618 |
| Step 4 | $44,133 | $1,697.42 | $21.15 | +$9,919 |
| Step 5 | $45,470 | $1,748.85 | $21.79 | +$10,219 |
| Step 6 | $46,808 | $1,800.31 | $22.43 | +$10,520 |
| Step 7 | $48,146 | $1,851.77 | $23.07 | +$10,821 |
| Step 8 | $49,483 | $1,903.19 | $23.71 | +$11,121 |
| Step 9 | $50,821 | $1,954.65 | $24.35 | +$11,422 |
| Step 10 | $52,158 | $2,006.08 | $24.99 | +$11,722 |
2026 GS-4 pay table for Philadelphia
Each step below already includes the 28.99% 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 | $40,120 | $1,543.08 | $19.22 | +$9,017 |
| Step 2 | $41,457 | $1,594.50 | $19.86 | +$9,317 |
| Step 3 | $42,795 | $1,645.96 | $20.51 | +$9,618 |
| Step 4 | $44,133 | $1,697.42 | $21.15 | +$9,919 |
| Step 5 | $45,470 | $1,748.85 | $21.79 | +$10,219 |
| Step 6 | $46,808 | $1,800.31 | $22.43 | +$10,520 |
| Step 7 | $48,146 | $1,851.77 | $23.07 | +$10,821 |
| Step 8 | $49,483 | $1,903.19 | $23.71 | +$11,121 |
| Step 9 | $50,821 | $1,954.65 | $24.35 | +$11,422 |
| Step 10 | $52,158 | $2,006.08 | $24.99 | +$11,722 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Philadelphia pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-4 in Philadelphia: what to expect
Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.
For 2026, the Philadelphia pay area adds a 28.99% 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 Philadelphia
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,543 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,006. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Philadelphia
GS-4 in Philadelphia questions
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How much does a GS-4 make in Philadelphia?
In 2026, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns $40,120 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $52,158. This is 28.99% higher than the base GS-4 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 in Philadelphia?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Philadelphia in 2026, it is 28.99%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,017 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Philadelphia?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Philadelphia earns roughly $1,543 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.