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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$125,579 GS-15 Step 1 in BOSTON (2014)
$157,100 GS-15 Step 10 in BOSTON (2014)
+$24,955 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-15 pay table for BOSTON

Each step below already includes the 24.80% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $125,579 $4,829.96 $60.17 +$24,955
Step 2 $129,765 $4,990.96 $62.18 +$25,787
Step 3 $133,950 $5,151.92 $64.18 +$26,618
Step 4 $138,136 $5,312.92 $66.19 +$27,450
Step 5 $142,322 $5,473.92 $68.19 +$28,282
Step 6 $146,508 $5,634.92 $70.20 +$29,114
Step 7 $150,694 $5,795.92 $72.21 +$29,946
Step 8 $154,879 $5,956.88 $74.21 +$30,777
Step 9 $157,100 $6,042.31 $75.28 +$29,644
Step 10 $157,100 $6,042.31 $75.28 +$26,290
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $100,624
  • BOSTON GS-15 Step 1 $125,579
  • Locality add-on +$24,955
  • Adjustment percent 24.80%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $130,810
  • BOSTON GS-15 Step 10 $157,100

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-15 in BOSTON: what to expect

Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.

For 2014, the BOSTON pay area adds a 24.80% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.

Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).

The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $4,830 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,042. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2014 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-15 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in BOSTON?
    In 2014, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $125,579 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $157,100. This is 24.80% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in BOSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For BOSTON in 2014, it is 24.80%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,955 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $4,830 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.