2022 GS-15 Pay in Boston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT earn 30.09% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $146,859 in Boston.
2022 GS-15 Pay in Boston
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $146,859 | $5,648.42 | $70.37 | +$33,969 |
| Step 2 | $151,754 | $5,836.69 | $72.71 | +$35,101 |
| Step 3 | $156,649 | $6,024.96 | $75.06 | +$36,233 |
| Step 4 | $161,544 | $6,213.23 | $77.40 | +$37,365 |
| Step 5 | $166,440 | $6,401.54 | $79.75 | +$38,498 |
| Step 6 | $171,335 | $6,589.81 | $82.10 | +$39,630 |
| Step 7 | $176,230 | $6,778.08 | $84.44 | +$40,762 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
2022 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $146,859 | $5,648.42 | $70.37 | +$33,969 |
| Step 2 | $151,754 | $5,836.69 | $72.71 | +$35,101 |
| Step 3 | $156,649 | $6,024.96 | $75.06 | +$36,233 |
| Step 4 | $161,544 | $6,213.23 | $77.40 | +$37,365 |
| Step 5 | $166,440 | $6,401.54 | $79.75 | +$38,498 |
| Step 6 | $171,335 | $6,589.81 | $82.10 | +$39,630 |
| Step 7 | $176,230 | $6,778.08 | $84.44 | +$40,762 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Boston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Boston: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2022, the Boston pay area adds a 30.09% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Boston
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $5,648 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. 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-15 Boston page.
Other grades in Boston
GS-15 in Boston questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Boston?
In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $146,859 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 30.09% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $33,969 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Boston?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $5,648 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.