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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$48,537 GS-8 Step 1 in BOSTON (2016)
$63,095 GS-8 Step 10 in BOSTON (2016)
+$9,766 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $48,537 $1,866.81 $23.26 +$9,766
Step 2 $50,155 $1,929.04 $24.03 +$10,092
Step 3 $51,772 $1,991.23 $24.81 +$10,417
Step 4 $53,390 $2,053.46 $25.58 +$10,743
Step 5 $55,007 $2,115.65 $26.36 +$11,068
Step 6 $56,625 $2,177.88 $27.13 +$11,394
Step 7 $58,242 $2,240.08 $27.91 +$11,719
Step 8 $59,860 $2,302.31 $28.68 +$12,045
Step 9 $61,477 $2,364.50 $29.46 +$12,370
Step 10 $63,095 $2,426.73 $30.23 +$12,696

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $38,771
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 1 $48,537
  • Locality add-on +$9,766
  • Adjustment percent 25.19%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $50,399
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 10 $63,095

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-8 in BOSTON: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2016, the BOSTON pay area adds a 25.19% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,867 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,427. 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-8 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-8 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in BOSTON?
    In 2016, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $48,537 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $63,095. This is 25.19% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,766 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,867 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.