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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,576 GS-5 Step 1 in BOSTON (2014)
$44,954 GS-5 Step 10 in BOSTON (2014)
+$6,871 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,576 $1,329.85 $16.57 +$6,871
Step 2 $35,729 $1,374.19 $17.12 +$7,100
Step 3 $36,882 $1,418.54 $17.67 +$7,329
Step 4 $38,035 $1,462.88 $18.22 +$7,558
Step 5 $39,188 $1,507.23 $18.78 +$7,787
Step 6 $40,342 $1,551.62 $19.33 +$8,017
Step 7 $41,495 $1,595.96 $19.88 +$8,246
Step 8 $42,648 $1,640.31 $20.44 +$8,475
Step 9 $43,801 $1,684.65 $20.99 +$8,704
Step 10 $44,954 $1,729.00 $21.54 +$8,933

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,705
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 1 $34,576
  • Locality add-on +$6,871
  • Adjustment percent 24.80%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,021
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 10 $44,954

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-5 in BOSTON: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2014, the BOSTON pay area adds a 24.80% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,330 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,729. 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-5 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-5 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BOSTON?
    In 2014, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $34,576 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,954. This is 24.80% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,871 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,330 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.