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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$128,503 GS-15 Step 1 in BOSTON (2016)
$160,300 GS-15 Step 10 in BOSTON (2016)
+$25,857 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $128,503 $4,942.42 $61.57 +$25,857
Step 2 $132,787 $5,107.19 $63.63 +$26,719
Step 3 $137,071 $5,271.96 $65.68 +$27,581
Step 4 $141,355 $5,436.73 $67.73 +$28,443
Step 5 $145,639 $5,601.50 $69.78 +$29,305
Step 6 $149,923 $5,766.27 $71.84 +$30,167
Step 7 $154,207 $5,931.04 $73.89 +$31,029
Step 8 $158,491 $6,095.81 $75.94 +$31,891
Step 9 $160,300 $6,165.38 $76.81 +$30,278
Step 10 $160,300 $6,165.38 $76.81 +$26,856
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $102,646
  • BOSTON GS-15 Step 1 $128,503
  • Locality add-on +$25,857
  • Adjustment percent 25.19%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $133,444
  • BOSTON GS-15 Step 10 $160,300

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 2016, the BOSTON pay area adds a 25.19% 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 $4,942 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,165. 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-15 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-15 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in BOSTON?
    In 2016, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $128,503 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $160,300. This is 25.19% 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 2016, it is 25.19%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,857 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 $4,942 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.