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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$49,626 GS-8 Step 1 in BOSTON (2017)
$64,511 GS-8 Step 10 in BOSTON (2017)
+$10,467 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $49,626 $1,908.69 $23.78 +$10,467
Step 2 $51,280 $1,972.31 $24.57 +$10,816
Step 3 $52,934 $2,035.92 $25.36 +$11,165
Step 4 $54,588 $2,099.54 $26.16 +$11,514
Step 5 $56,242 $2,163.15 $26.95 +$11,863
Step 6 $57,895 $2,226.73 $27.74 +$12,211
Step 7 $59,549 $2,290.35 $28.53 +$12,560
Step 8 $61,203 $2,353.96 $29.33 +$12,909
Step 9 $62,857 $2,417.58 $30.12 +$13,258
Step 10 $64,511 $2,481.19 $30.91 +$13,607

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $39,159
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 1 $49,626
  • Locality add-on +$10,467
  • Adjustment percent 26.73%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $50,904
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 10 $64,511

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 2017, the BOSTON pay area adds a 26.73% 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 $1,909 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,481. 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-8 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-8 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in BOSTON?
    In 2017, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $49,626 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $64,511. This is 26.73% 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 2017, it is 26.73%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,467 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 $1,909 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.