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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$64,251 GS-9 Step 1 in Boston (2023)
$83,523 GS-9 Step 10 in Boston (2023)
+$15,223 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $64,251 $2,471.19 $30.79 +$15,223
Step 2 $66,393 $2,553.58 $31.81 +$15,731
Step 3 $68,534 $2,635.92 $32.84 +$16,238
Step 4 $70,675 $2,718.27 $33.86 +$16,745
Step 5 $72,817 $2,800.65 $34.89 +$17,253
Step 6 $74,958 $2,883.00 $35.92 +$17,760
Step 7 $77,099 $2,965.35 $36.94 +$18,267
Step 8 $79,241 $3,047.73 $37.97 +$18,775
Step 9 $81,382 $3,130.08 $38.99 +$19,282
Step 10 $83,523 $3,212.42 $40.02 +$19,789

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $49,028
  • Boston GS-9 Step 1 $64,251
  • Locality add-on +$15,223
  • Adjustment percent 31.05%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $63,734
  • Boston GS-9 Step 10 $83,523

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-9 in Boston: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2023, the Boston pay area adds a 31.05% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 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-9 in Boston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $2,471 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,212. 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-9 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-9 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Boston?
    In 2023, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $64,251 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $83,523. This is 31.05% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,223 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Boston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $2,471 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.