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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$53,869 GS-8 Step 1 in BOSTON (2021)
$70,032 GS-8 Step 10 in BOSTON (2021)
+$12,146 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $53,869 $2,071.88 $25.81 +$12,146
Step 2 $55,664 $2,140.92 $26.67 +$12,550
Step 3 $57,460 $2,210.00 $27.53 +$12,955
Step 4 $59,256 $2,279.08 $28.39 +$13,360
Step 5 $61,052 $2,348.15 $29.25 +$13,765
Step 6 $62,848 $2,417.23 $30.11 +$14,170
Step 7 $64,644 $2,486.31 $30.97 +$14,575
Step 8 $66,440 $2,555.38 $31.84 +$14,980
Step 9 $68,236 $2,624.46 $32.70 +$15,385
Step 10 $70,032 $2,693.54 $33.56 +$15,790

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BOSTON pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $41,723
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 1 $53,869
  • Locality add-on +$12,146
  • Adjustment percent 29.11%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $54,242
  • BOSTON GS-8 Step 10 $70,032

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 2021, 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 $2,072 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,694. 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-8 BOSTON page.

Other grades in BOSTON

GS-8 in BOSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in BOSTON?
    In 2021, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in BOSTON earns $53,869 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $70,032. 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 2021, it is 29.11%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,146 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 $2,072 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.