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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$55,472 GS-8 Step 1 in Boston (2022)
$72,109 GS-8 Step 10 in Boston (2022)
+$12,831 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $55,472 $2,133.54 $26.58 +$12,831
Step 2 $57,320 $2,204.62 $27.47 +$13,258
Step 3 $59,169 $2,275.73 $28.35 +$13,686
Step 4 $61,017 $2,346.81 $29.24 +$14,113
Step 5 $62,866 $2,417.92 $30.12 +$14,541
Step 6 $64,715 $2,489.04 $31.01 +$14,969
Step 7 $66,563 $2,560.12 $31.89 +$15,396
Step 8 $68,412 $2,631.23 $32.78 +$15,824
Step 9 $70,260 $2,702.31 $33.67 +$16,251
Step 10 $72,109 $2,773.42 $34.55 +$16,679

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $42,641
  • Boston GS-8 Step 1 $55,472
  • Locality add-on +$12,831
  • Adjustment percent 30.09%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $55,430
  • Boston GS-8 Step 10 $72,109

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 2022, the Boston pay area adds a 30.09% 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 $2,134 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,773. 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-8 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-8 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Boston?
    In 2022, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $55,472 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $72,109. This is 30.09% 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 2022, it is 30.09%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,831 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 $2,134 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.