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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$67,743 GS-9 Step 1 in Boston (2024)
$88,065 GS-9 Step 10 in Boston (2024)
+$16,411 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $67,743 $2,605.50 $32.46 +$16,411
Step 2 $70,001 $2,692.35 $33.54 +$16,958
Step 3 $72,259 $2,779.19 $34.62 +$17,505
Step 4 $74,517 $2,866.04 $35.71 +$18,052
Step 5 $76,775 $2,952.88 $36.79 +$18,599
Step 6 $79,033 $3,039.73 $37.87 +$19,146
Step 7 $81,291 $3,126.58 $38.95 +$19,693
Step 8 $83,549 $3,213.42 $40.03 +$20,240
Step 9 $85,807 $3,300.27 $41.11 +$20,787
Step 10 $88,065 $3,387.12 $42.20 +$21,334

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $51,332
  • Boston GS-9 Step 1 $67,743
  • Locality add-on +$16,411
  • Adjustment percent 31.97%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $66,731
  • Boston GS-9 Step 10 $88,065

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 2024, the Boston pay area adds a 31.97% 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 $2,606 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,387. 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-9 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-9 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Boston?
    In 2024, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $67,743 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $88,065. This is 31.97% 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 2024, it is 31.97%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,411 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 $2,606 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.