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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,750 GS-4 Step 1 in BOSTON (2020)
$45,173 GS-4 Step 10 in BOSTON (2020)
+$7,835 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,750 $1,336.54 $16.65 +$7,835
Step 2 $35,908 $1,381.08 $17.21 +$8,096
Step 3 $37,066 $1,425.62 $17.76 +$8,357
Step 4 $38,224 $1,470.15 $18.32 +$8,618
Step 5 $39,382 $1,514.69 $18.87 +$8,879
Step 6 $40,541 $1,559.27 $19.43 +$9,141
Step 7 $41,699 $1,603.81 $19.98 +$9,402
Step 8 $42,857 $1,648.35 $20.54 +$9,663
Step 9 $44,015 $1,692.88 $21.09 +$9,924
Step 10 $45,173 $1,737.42 $21.64 +$10,185

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,915
  • BOSTON GS-4 Step 1 $34,750
  • Locality add-on +$7,835
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,988
  • BOSTON GS-4 Step 10 $45,173

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-4 in BOSTON: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2020, the BOSTON pay area adds a 29.11% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,337 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,737. 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-4 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-4 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in BOSTON?
    In 2020, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $34,750 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,173. This is 29.11% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,835 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,337 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.