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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$53,335 GS-8 Step 1 in BOSTON (2020)
$69,336 GS-8 Step 10 in BOSTON (2020)
+$12,025 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $53,335 $2,051.35 $25.56 +$12,025
Step 2 $55,113 $2,119.73 $26.41 +$12,426
Step 3 $56,891 $2,188.12 $27.26 +$12,827
Step 4 $58,669 $2,256.50 $28.11 +$13,228
Step 5 $60,447 $2,324.88 $28.96 +$13,629
Step 6 $62,225 $2,393.27 $29.82 +$14,030
Step 7 $64,002 $2,461.62 $30.67 +$14,430
Step 8 $65,780 $2,530.00 $31.52 +$14,831
Step 9 $67,558 $2,598.38 $32.37 +$15,232
Step 10 $69,336 $2,666.77 $33.22 +$15,633

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $41,310
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 1 $53,335
  • Locality add-on +$12,025
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $53,703
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 10 $69,336

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-8 in BOSTON: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2020, the BOSTON pay area adds a 29.11% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $2,051 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,667. 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-8 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-8 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in BOSTON?
    In 2020, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $53,335 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $69,336. This is 29.11% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,025 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $2,051 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.