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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,922 GS-5 Step 1 in BOSTON (2015)
$45,401 GS-5 Step 10 in BOSTON (2015)
+$6,940 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 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 $34,922 $1,343.15 $16.73 +$6,940
Step 2 $36,086 $1,387.92 $17.29 +$7,171
Step 3 $37,250 $1,432.69 $17.85 +$7,402
Step 4 $38,415 $1,477.50 $18.41 +$7,634
Step 5 $39,579 $1,522.27 $18.96 +$7,865
Step 6 $40,743 $1,567.04 $19.52 +$8,096
Step 7 $41,908 $1,611.85 $20.08 +$8,328
Step 8 $43,072 $1,656.62 $20.64 +$8,559
Step 9 $44,237 $1,701.42 $21.20 +$8,791
Step 10 $45,401 $1,746.19 $21.75 +$9,022

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,982
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 1 $34,922
  • Locality add-on +$6,940
  • Adjustment percent 24.80%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,379
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 10 $45,401

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 2015, 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 $1,343 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,746. 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-5 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-5 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BOSTON?
    In 2015, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $34,922 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,401. 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 2015, it is 24.80%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,940 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 $1,343 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.