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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,381 GS-5 Step 1 in BOSTON (2016)
$45,995 GS-5 Step 10 in BOSTON (2016)
+$7,119 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,381 $1,360.81 $16.95 +$7,119
Step 2 $36,560 $1,406.15 $17.52 +$7,356
Step 3 $37,740 $1,451.54 $18.08 +$7,594
Step 4 $38,919 $1,496.88 $18.65 +$7,831
Step 5 $40,098 $1,542.23 $19.21 +$8,068
Step 6 $41,278 $1,587.62 $19.78 +$8,306
Step 7 $42,457 $1,632.96 $20.34 +$8,543
Step 8 $43,636 $1,678.31 $20.91 +$8,780
Step 9 $44,816 $1,723.69 $21.47 +$9,018
Step 10 $45,995 $1,769.04 $22.04 +$9,255

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 1 $35,381
  • Locality add-on +$7,119
  • Adjustment percent 25.19%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 10 $45,995

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 2016, the BOSTON pay area adds a 25.19% 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 $1,361 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,769. 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-5 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-5 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BOSTON?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $35,381 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,995. This is 25.19% 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 2016, it is 25.19%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,119 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 $1,361 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.