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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,488 GS-12 Step 1 in BOSTON (2017)
$103,337 GS-12 Step 10 in BOSTON (2017)
+$16,766 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for BOSTON

Each step below already includes the 26.73% 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 $79,488 $3,057.23 $38.09 +$16,766
Step 2 $82,138 $3,159.15 $39.36 +$17,325
Step 3 $84,787 $3,261.04 $40.63 +$17,883
Step 4 $87,437 $3,362.96 $41.90 +$18,442
Step 5 $90,087 $3,464.88 $43.17 +$19,001
Step 6 $92,737 $3,566.81 $44.44 +$19,560
Step 7 $95,387 $3,668.73 $45.71 +$20,119
Step 8 $98,037 $3,770.65 $46.98 +$20,678
Step 9 $100,687 $3,872.58 $48.24 +$21,237
Step 10 $103,337 $3,974.50 $49.51 +$21,796

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 1 $79,488
  • Locality add-on +$16,766
  • Adjustment percent 26.73%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 10 $103,337

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 2017, the BOSTON pay area adds a 26.73% 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 $3,057 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,975. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $79,488 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,337. This is 26.73% 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 2017, it is 26.73%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,766 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 $3,057 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.