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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,735 GS-12 Step 1 in BOSTON (2015)
$99,760 GS-12 Step 10 in BOSTON (2015)
+$15,249 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $76,735 $2,951.35 $36.77 +$15,249
Step 2 $79,293 $3,049.73 $37.99 +$15,757
Step 3 $81,851 $3,148.12 $39.22 +$16,265
Step 4 $84,410 $3,246.54 $40.45 +$16,774
Step 5 $86,968 $3,344.92 $41.67 +$17,282
Step 6 $89,527 $3,443.35 $42.90 +$17,791
Step 7 $92,085 $3,541.73 $44.12 +$18,299
Step 8 $94,643 $3,640.12 $45.35 +$18,807
Step 9 $97,202 $3,738.54 $46.57 +$19,316
Step 10 $99,760 $3,836.92 $47.80 +$19,824

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 1 $76,735
  • Locality add-on +$15,249
  • Adjustment percent 24.80%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 10 $99,760

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-12 in BOSTON: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2015, the BOSTON pay area adds a 24.80% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $2,951 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,837. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-12 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in BOSTON?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $76,735 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $99,760. This is 24.80% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in BOSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For BOSTON in 2015, it is 24.80%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,249 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $2,951 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.