2026 GS-4 Pay in Washington DC
GS-4 employees with a duty station in Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA earn 33.94% 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 $41,659 in Washington DC.
2026 GS-4 Pay in Washington DC
Locality-adjusted GS-4 rates for Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $41,659 | $1,602.27 | $19.96 | +$10,556 |
| Step 2 | $43,048 | $1,655.69 | $20.63 | +$10,908 |
| Step 3 | $44,437 | $1,709.12 | $21.29 | +$11,260 |
| Step 4 | $45,826 | $1,762.54 | $21.96 | +$11,612 |
| Step 5 | $47,215 | $1,815.96 | $22.62 | +$11,964 |
| Step 6 | $48,604 | $1,869.38 | $23.29 | +$12,316 |
| Step 7 | $49,993 | $1,922.81 | $23.95 | +$12,668 |
| Step 8 | $51,382 | $1,976.23 | $24.62 | +$13,020 |
| Step 9 | $52,771 | $2,029.65 | $25.29 | +$13,372 |
| Step 10 | $54,160 | $2,083.08 | $25.95 | +$13,724 |
2026 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 | $41,659 | $1,602.27 | $19.96 | +$10,556 |
| Step 2 | $43,048 | $1,655.69 | $20.63 | +$10,908 |
| Step 3 | $44,437 | $1,709.12 | $21.29 | +$11,260 |
| Step 4 | $45,826 | $1,762.54 | $21.96 | +$11,612 |
| Step 5 | $47,215 | $1,815.96 | $22.62 | +$11,964 |
| Step 6 | $48,604 | $1,869.38 | $23.29 | +$12,316 |
| Step 7 | $49,993 | $1,922.81 | $23.95 | +$12,668 |
| Step 8 | $51,382 | $1,976.23 | $24.62 | +$13,020 |
| Step 9 | $52,771 | $2,029.65 | $25.29 | +$13,372 |
| Step 10 | $54,160 | $2,083.08 | $25.95 | +$13,724 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Washington DC pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-4 in Washington DC: what to expect
Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.
For 2026, 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 $1,602 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,083. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Washington DC
GS-4 in Washington DC questions
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How much does a GS-4 make in Washington DC?
In 2026, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Washington DC earns $41,659 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,160. 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 2026, it is 33.94%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,556 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 $1,602 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.