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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$119,355 GS-13 Step 1 in Boston (2025)
$155,164 GS-13 Step 10 in Boston (2025)
+$29,330 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-13 pay table for Boston

Each step below already includes the 32.58% 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 $119,355 $4,590.58 $57.19 +$29,330
Step 2 $123,334 $4,743.62 $59.10 +$30,308
Step 3 $127,313 $4,896.65 $61.00 +$31,286
Step 4 $131,291 $5,049.65 $62.91 +$32,263
Step 5 $135,270 $5,202.69 $64.82 +$33,241
Step 6 $139,249 $5,355.73 $66.72 +$34,219
Step 7 $143,227 $5,508.73 $68.63 +$35,196
Step 8 $147,206 $5,661.77 $70.53 +$36,174
Step 9 $151,185 $5,814.81 $72.44 +$37,152
Step 10 $155,164 $5,967.85 $74.35 +$38,130

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $90,025
  • Boston GS-13 Step 1 $119,355
  • Locality add-on +$29,330
  • Adjustment percent 32.58%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $117,034
  • Boston GS-13 Step 10 $155,164

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 2025, the Boston pay area adds a 32.58% 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 $4,591 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,968. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 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 2025, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $119,355 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $155,164. This is 32.58% 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 2025, it is 32.58%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,330 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 $4,591 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.