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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$101,585 GS-13 Step 1 in BOSTON (2020)
$132,064 GS-13 Step 10 in BOSTON (2020)
+$22,904 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-13 pay table for BOSTON

Each step below already includes the 29.11% 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 $101,585 $3,907.12 $48.68 +$22,904
Step 2 $104,972 $4,037.38 $50.30 +$23,668
Step 3 $108,358 $4,167.62 $51.92 +$24,431
Step 4 $111,745 $4,297.88 $53.54 +$25,195
Step 5 $115,131 $4,428.12 $55.17 +$25,958
Step 6 $118,518 $4,558.38 $56.79 +$26,722
Step 7 $121,904 $4,688.62 $58.41 +$27,485
Step 8 $125,291 $4,818.88 $60.03 +$28,249
Step 9 $128,677 $4,949.12 $61.66 +$29,012
Step 10 $132,064 $5,079.38 $63.28 +$29,776

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $78,681
  • BOSTON GS-13 Step 1 $101,585
  • Locality add-on +$22,904
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $102,288
  • BOSTON GS-13 Step 10 $132,064

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 2020, the BOSTON pay area adds a 29.11% 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 $3,907 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,079. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 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 2020, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $101,585 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $132,064. This is 29.11% 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 2020, it is 29.11%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,904 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 $3,907 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.