An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,961 GS-4 Step 1 in Boston (2024)
$51,945 GS-4 Step 10 in Boston (2024)
+$9,681 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $39,961 $1,536.96 $19.15 +$9,681
Step 2 $41,292 $1,588.15 $19.79 +$10,003
Step 3 $42,624 $1,639.38 $20.42 +$10,326
Step 4 $43,955 $1,690.58 $21.06 +$10,648
Step 5 $45,287 $1,741.81 $21.70 +$10,971
Step 6 $46,618 $1,793.00 $22.34 +$11,293
Step 7 $47,950 $1,844.23 $22.98 +$11,616
Step 8 $49,282 $1,895.46 $23.61 +$11,939
Step 9 $50,613 $1,946.65 $24.25 +$12,261
Step 10 $51,945 $1,997.88 $24.89 +$12,584

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,280
  • Boston GS-4 Step 1 $39,961
  • Locality add-on +$9,681
  • Adjustment percent 31.97%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $39,361
  • Boston GS-4 Step 10 $51,945

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-4 in Boston: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2024, the Boston pay area adds a 31.97% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in Boston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $1,537 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,998. 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-4 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-4 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Boston?
    In 2024, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $39,961 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,945. This is 31.97% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,681 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Boston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $1,537 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.