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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$29,974 GS-3 Step 1 in BOSTON (2019)
$38,967 GS-3 Step 10 in BOSTON (2019)
+$6,606 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-3 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-3 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $29,974 $1,152.85 $14.36 +$6,606
Step 2 $30,973 $1,191.27 $14.84 +$6,826
Step 3 $31,973 $1,229.73 $15.32 +$7,047
Step 4 $32,972 $1,268.15 $15.80 +$7,267
Step 5 $33,971 $1,306.58 $16.28 +$7,487
Step 6 $34,970 $1,345.00 $16.76 +$7,707
Step 7 $35,969 $1,383.42 $17.23 +$7,927
Step 8 $36,969 $1,421.88 $17.71 +$8,148
Step 9 $37,968 $1,460.31 $18.19 +$8,368
Step 10 $38,967 $1,498.73 $18.67 +$8,588

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-3 Step 1 $23,368
  • BOSTON GS-3 Step 1 $29,974
  • Locality add-on +$6,606
  • Adjustment percent 28.27%
  • Base GS-3 Step 10 $30,379
  • BOSTON GS-3 Step 10 $38,967

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-3 in BOSTON: what to expect

Routine clerical, office assistant and technician-support roles. Common entry grade for recent high school graduates.

For 2019, the BOSTON pay area adds a 28.27% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-3 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of general experience or one year of post-secondary education.

Promotion path. Non-competitive promotion to GS-4 after one year of satisfactory performance.

The rough military equivalent for GS-3 is E-4 Specialist, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-3 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-3 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,153 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,499. 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-3 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-3 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-3 make in BOSTON?
    In 2019, a GS-3 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $29,974 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $38,967. This is 28.27% higher than the base GS-3 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-3 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-3 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,606 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-3 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-3 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,153 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.