An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$43,338 GS-6 Step 1 in BOSTON (2020)
$56,341 GS-6 Step 10 in BOSTON (2020)
+$9,771 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $43,338 $1,666.85 $20.77 +$9,771
Step 2 $44,783 $1,722.42 $21.46 +$10,097
Step 3 $46,228 $1,778.00 $22.15 +$10,423
Step 4 $47,673 $1,833.58 $22.84 +$10,749
Step 5 $49,117 $1,889.12 $23.53 +$11,074
Step 6 $50,562 $1,944.69 $24.23 +$11,400
Step 7 $52,007 $2,000.27 $24.92 +$11,726
Step 8 $53,452 $2,055.85 $25.61 +$12,052
Step 9 $54,896 $2,111.38 $26.30 +$12,377
Step 10 $56,341 $2,166.96 $27.00 +$12,703

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $33,567
  • BOSTON GS-6 Step 1 $43,338
  • Locality add-on +$9,771
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $43,638
  • BOSTON GS-6 Step 10 $56,341

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-6 in BOSTON: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2020, the BOSTON pay area adds a 29.11% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,667 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,167. 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-6 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-6 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in BOSTON?
    In 2020, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $43,338 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $56,341. This is 29.11% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,771 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $1,667 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.