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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$116,820 GS-13 Step 1 in Boston (2024)
$151,870 GS-13 Step 10 in Boston (2024)
+$28,300 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-13 pay table for Boston

Each step below already includes the 31.97% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $116,820 $4,493.08 $55.98 +$28,300
Step 2 $120,714 $4,642.85 $57.84 +$29,243
Step 3 $124,609 $4,792.65 $59.71 +$30,187
Step 4 $128,503 $4,942.42 $61.57 +$31,130
Step 5 $132,398 $5,092.23 $63.44 +$32,074
Step 6 $136,292 $5,242.00 $65.31 +$33,017
Step 7 $140,186 $5,391.77 $67.17 +$33,960
Step 8 $144,081 $5,541.58 $69.04 +$34,904
Step 9 $147,975 $5,691.35 $70.90 +$35,847
Step 10 $151,870 $5,841.15 $72.77 +$36,791

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $88,520
  • Boston GS-13 Step 1 $116,820
  • Locality add-on +$28,300
  • Adjustment percent 31.97%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $115,079
  • Boston GS-13 Step 10 $151,870

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-13 in Boston: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2024, the Boston pay area adds a 31.97% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in Boston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $4,493 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,841. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-13 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-13 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Boston?
    In 2024, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $116,820 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $151,870. This is 31.97% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in Boston?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Boston in 2024, it is 31.97%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,300 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Boston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $4,493 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.