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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$102,601 GS-13 Step 1 in BOSTON (2021)
$133,382 GS-13 Step 10 in BOSTON (2021)
+$23,133 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $102,601 $3,946.19 $49.16 +$23,133
Step 2 $106,021 $4,077.73 $50.80 +$23,904
Step 3 $109,441 $4,209.27 $52.44 +$24,675
Step 4 $112,862 $4,340.85 $54.08 +$25,447
Step 5 $116,282 $4,472.38 $55.72 +$26,218
Step 6 $119,702 $4,603.92 $57.36 +$26,989
Step 7 $123,122 $4,735.46 $58.99 +$27,760
Step 8 $126,542 $4,867.00 $60.63 +$28,531
Step 9 $129,962 $4,998.54 $62.27 +$29,302
Step 10 $133,382 $5,130.08 $63.91 +$30,073

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $79,468
  • BOSTON GS-13 Step 1 $102,601
  • Locality add-on +$23,133
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $103,309
  • BOSTON GS-13 Step 10 $133,382

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 2021, 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 $3,946 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,130. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 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 2021, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $102,601 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $133,382. 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 2021, it is 29.11%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $23,133 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 $3,946 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.