2023 GS-15 Pay in Boston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT earn 31.05% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $154,007 in Boston.
2023 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 | $154,007 | $5,923.35 | $73.79 | +$36,489 |
| Step 2 | $159,141 | $6,120.81 | $76.25 | +$37,706 |
| Step 3 | $164,274 | $6,318.23 | $78.71 | +$38,922 |
| Step 4 | $169,407 | $6,515.65 | $81.17 | +$40,138 |
| Step 5 | $174,540 | $6,713.08 | $83.63 | +$41,354 |
| Step 6 | $179,673 | $6,910.50 | $86.09 | +$42,570 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 pay table for Boston
Each step below already includes the 31.05% 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 | $154,007 | $5,923.35 | $73.79 | +$36,489 |
| Step 2 | $159,141 | $6,120.81 | $76.25 | +$37,706 |
| Step 3 | $164,274 | $6,318.23 | $78.71 | +$38,922 |
| Step 4 | $169,407 | $6,515.65 | $81.17 | +$40,138 |
| Step 5 | $174,540 | $6,713.08 | $83.63 | +$41,354 |
| Step 6 | $179,673 | $6,910.50 | $86.09 | +$42,570 |
| Step 7 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$42,480 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
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 2023, the Boston pay area adds a 31.05% 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 $5,923 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Boston page.
Other grades in Boston
GS-15 in Boston questions
-
How much does a GS-15 make in Boston?
In 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $154,007 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 31.05% 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 2023, it is 31.05%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $36,489 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 $5,923 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.