2024 GS-15 Pay in Boston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT earn 31.97% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $162,377 in Boston.
2024 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 | $162,377 | $6,245.27 | $77.80 | +$39,336 |
| Step 2 | $167,789 | $6,453.42 | $80.40 | +$40,647 |
| Step 3 | $173,201 | $6,661.58 | $82.99 | +$41,958 |
| Step 4 | $178,613 | $6,869.73 | $85.58 | +$43,269 |
| Step 5 | $184,026 | $7,077.92 | $88.18 | +$44,581 |
| Step 6 | $189,438 | $7,286.08 | $90.77 | +$45,892 |
| Step 7 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$44,253 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
2024 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $162,377 | $6,245.27 | $77.80 | +$39,336 |
| Step 2 | $167,789 | $6,453.42 | $80.40 | +$40,647 |
| Step 3 | $173,201 | $6,661.58 | $82.99 | +$41,958 |
| Step 4 | $178,613 | $6,869.73 | $85.58 | +$43,269 |
| Step 5 | $184,026 | $7,077.92 | $88.18 | +$44,581 |
| Step 6 | $189,438 | $7,286.08 | $90.77 | +$45,892 |
| Step 7 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$44,253 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
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 2024, the Boston pay area adds a 31.97% 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 $6,245 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,381. 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-15 Boston page.
Other grades in Boston
GS-15 in Boston questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Boston?
In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $162,377 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 31.97% 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 2024, it is 31.97%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $39,336 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 $6,245 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.