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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$96,411 GS-13 Step 1 in BOSTON (2018)
$125,335 GS-13 Step 10 in BOSTON (2018)
+$20,783 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-13 pay table for BOSTON

Each step below already includes the 27.48% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $96,411 $3,708.12 $46.20 +$20,783
Step 2 $99,624 $3,831.69 $47.74 +$21,475
Step 3 $102,838 $3,955.31 $49.28 +$22,168
Step 4 $106,052 $4,078.92 $50.82 +$22,861
Step 5 $109,266 $4,202.54 $52.36 +$23,554
Step 6 $112,479 $4,326.12 $53.90 +$24,246
Step 7 $115,693 $4,449.73 $55.44 +$24,939
Step 8 $118,907 $4,573.35 $56.98 +$25,632
Step 9 $122,121 $4,696.96 $58.52 +$26,325
Step 10 $125,335 $4,820.58 $60.06 +$27,018

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $75,628
  • BOSTON GS-13 Step 1 $96,411
  • Locality add-on +$20,783
  • Adjustment percent 27.48%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $98,317
  • BOSTON GS-13 Step 10 $125,335

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-13 in BOSTON: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2018, the BOSTON pay area adds a 27.48% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $3,708 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,821. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-13 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-13 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in BOSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $96,411 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $125,335. This is 27.48% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in BOSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For BOSTON in 2018, it is 27.48%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,783 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $3,708 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.