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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$58,172 GS-8 Step 1 in Boston (2023)
$75,628 GS-8 Step 10 in Boston (2023)
+$13,783 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $58,172 $2,237.38 $27.87 +$13,783
Step 2 $60,111 $2,311.96 $28.80 +$14,242
Step 3 $62,051 $2,386.58 $29.73 +$14,702
Step 4 $63,990 $2,461.15 $30.66 +$15,161
Step 5 $65,930 $2,535.77 $31.59 +$15,621
Step 6 $67,869 $2,610.35 $32.52 +$16,080
Step 7 $69,809 $2,684.96 $33.45 +$16,540
Step 8 $71,749 $2,759.58 $34.38 +$17,000
Step 9 $73,688 $2,834.15 $35.31 +$17,459
Step 10 $75,628 $2,908.77 $36.24 +$17,919

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $44,389
  • Boston GS-8 Step 1 $58,172
  • Locality add-on +$13,783
  • Adjustment percent 31.05%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $57,709
  • Boston GS-8 Step 10 $75,628

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 2023, the Boston pay area adds a 31.05% 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 $2,237 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,909. 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-8 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-8 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Boston?
    In 2023, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $58,172 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $75,628. This is 31.05% 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 2023, it is 31.05%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,783 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 $2,237 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.