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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$58,909 GS-9 Step 1 in BOSTON (2020)
$76,583 GS-9 Step 10 in BOSTON (2020)
+$13,282 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $58,909 $2,265.73 $28.23 +$13,282
Step 2 $60,873 $2,341.27 $29.17 +$13,725
Step 3 $62,837 $2,416.81 $30.11 +$14,168
Step 4 $64,800 $2,492.31 $31.05 +$14,610
Step 5 $66,764 $2,567.85 $31.99 +$15,053
Step 6 $68,728 $2,643.38 $32.93 +$15,496
Step 7 $70,692 $2,718.92 $33.87 +$15,939
Step 8 $72,655 $2,794.42 $34.81 +$16,381
Step 9 $74,619 $2,869.96 $35.75 +$16,824
Step 10 $76,583 $2,945.50 $36.70 +$17,267

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $45,627
  • BOSTON GS-9 Step 1 $58,909
  • Locality add-on +$13,282
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $59,316
  • BOSTON GS-9 Step 10 $76,583

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-9 in BOSTON: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2020, the BOSTON pay area adds a 29.11% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 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-9 in BOSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $2,266 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,946. 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-9 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-9 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in BOSTON?
    In 2020, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $58,909 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $76,583. This is 29.11% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,282 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in BOSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns roughly $2,266 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.