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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$105,654 GS-13 Step 1 in Boston (2022)
$137,348 GS-13 Step 10 in Boston (2022)
+$24,438 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-13 pay table for Boston

Each step below already includes the 30.09% 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 $105,654 $4,063.62 $50.62 +$24,438
Step 2 $109,175 $4,199.04 $52.31 +$25,252
Step 3 $112,697 $4,334.50 $54.00 +$26,067
Step 4 $116,219 $4,469.96 $55.69 +$26,882
Step 5 $119,740 $4,605.38 $57.37 +$27,696
Step 6 $123,262 $4,740.85 $59.06 +$28,511
Step 7 $126,783 $4,876.27 $60.75 +$29,325
Step 8 $130,305 $5,011.73 $62.44 +$30,140
Step 9 $133,826 $5,147.15 $64.12 +$30,954
Step 10 $137,348 $5,282.62 $65.81 +$31,769

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $81,216
  • Boston GS-13 Step 1 $105,654
  • Locality add-on +$24,438
  • Adjustment percent 30.09%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $105,579
  • Boston GS-13 Step 10 $137,348

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 2022, the Boston pay area adds a 30.09% 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 $4,064 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,283. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 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 2022, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $105,654 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $137,348. This is 30.09% 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 2022, it is 30.09%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,438 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 $4,064 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.