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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$82,721 GS-12 Step 1 in BOSTON (2019)
$107,542 GS-12 Step 10 in BOSTON (2019)
+$18,231 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for BOSTON

Each step below already includes the 28.27% 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 $82,721 $3,181.58 $39.64 +$18,231
Step 2 $85,479 $3,287.65 $40.96 +$18,839
Step 3 $88,237 $3,393.73 $42.28 +$19,447
Step 4 $90,995 $3,499.81 $43.60 +$20,055
Step 5 $93,753 $3,605.88 $44.92 +$20,663
Step 6 $96,510 $3,711.92 $46.24 +$21,270
Step 7 $99,268 $3,818.00 $47.56 +$21,878
Step 8 $102,026 $3,924.08 $48.89 +$22,486
Step 9 $104,784 $4,030.15 $50.21 +$23,094
Step 10 $107,542 $4,136.23 $51.53 +$23,702

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 1 $82,721
  • Locality add-on +$18,231
  • Adjustment percent 28.27%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • BOSTON GS-12 Step 10 $107,542

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 2019, the BOSTON pay area adds a 28.27% 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 $3,182 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,136. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $82,721 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $107,542. This is 28.27% 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 2019, it is 28.27%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,231 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 $3,182 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.