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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$50,618 GS-8 Step 1 in BOSTON (2018)
$65,809 GS-8 Step 10 in BOSTON (2018)
+$10,911 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $50,618 $1,946.85 $24.25 +$10,911
Step 2 $52,306 $2,011.77 $25.06 +$11,275
Step 3 $53,994 $2,076.69 $25.87 +$11,639
Step 4 $55,682 $2,141.62 $26.68 +$12,003
Step 5 $57,370 $2,206.54 $27.49 +$12,367
Step 6 $59,058 $2,271.46 $28.30 +$12,731
Step 7 $60,745 $2,336.35 $29.11 +$13,094
Step 8 $62,433 $2,401.27 $29.92 +$13,458
Step 9 $64,121 $2,466.19 $30.72 +$13,822
Step 10 $65,809 $2,531.12 $31.53 +$14,186

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $39,707
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 1 $50,618
  • Locality add-on +$10,911
  • Adjustment percent 27.48%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $51,623
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 10 $65,809

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 2018, the BOSTON pay area adds a 27.48% 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 $1,947 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,531. 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-8 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-8 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in BOSTON?
    In 2018, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $50,618 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $65,809. This is 27.48% 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 2018, it is 27.48%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,911 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 $1,947 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.