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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,744 GS-12 Step 1 in BOSTON (2016)
$101,067 GS-12 Step 10 in BOSTON (2016)
+$15,643 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for BOSTON

Each step below already includes the 25.19% 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 $77,744 $2,990.15 $37.25 +$15,643
Step 2 $80,336 $3,089.85 $38.49 +$16,165
Step 3 $82,927 $3,189.50 $39.74 +$16,686
Step 4 $85,519 $3,289.19 $40.98 +$17,208
Step 5 $88,110 $3,388.85 $42.22 +$17,729
Step 6 $90,701 $3,488.50 $43.46 +$18,250
Step 7 $93,293 $3,588.19 $44.70 +$18,772
Step 8 $95,884 $3,687.85 $45.94 +$19,293
Step 9 $98,476 $3,787.54 $47.19 +$19,815
Step 10 $101,067 $3,887.19 $48.43 +$20,336

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 1 $77,744
  • Locality add-on +$15,643
  • Adjustment percent 25.19%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 10 $101,067

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 2016, the BOSTON pay area adds a 25.19% 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 $2,990 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,887. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $77,744 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,067. This is 25.19% 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 2016, it is 25.19%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,643 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 $2,990 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.