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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,175 GS-5 Step 1 in BOSTON (2017)
$47,033 GS-5 Step 10 in BOSTON (2017)
+$7,630 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,175 $1,391.35 $17.33 +$7,630
Step 2 $37,382 $1,437.77 $17.91 +$7,885
Step 3 $38,588 $1,484.15 $18.49 +$8,139
Step 4 $39,794 $1,530.54 $19.07 +$8,393
Step 5 $41,001 $1,576.96 $19.65 +$8,648
Step 6 $42,207 $1,623.35 $20.22 +$8,902
Step 7 $43,414 $1,669.77 $20.80 +$9,157
Step 8 $44,620 $1,716.15 $21.38 +$9,411
Step 9 $45,827 $1,762.58 $21.96 +$9,666
Step 10 $47,033 $1,808.96 $22.54 +$9,920

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 1 $36,175
  • Locality add-on +$7,630
  • Adjustment percent 26.73%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • BOSTON GS-5 Step 10 $47,033

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 2017, the BOSTON pay area adds a 26.73% 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 $1,391 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,809. 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-5 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-5 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BOSTON?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $36,175 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,033. This is 26.73% 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 2017, it is 26.73%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,630 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 $1,391 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.