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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$40,828 GS-4 Step 1 in Boston (2025)
$53,082 GS-4 Step 10 in Boston (2025)
+$10,033 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $40,828 $1,570.31 $19.56 +$10,033
Step 2 $42,190 $1,622.69 $20.22 +$10,368
Step 3 $43,551 $1,675.04 $20.87 +$10,702
Step 4 $44,913 $1,727.42 $21.52 +$11,037
Step 5 $46,274 $1,779.77 $22.17 +$11,371
Step 6 $47,636 $1,832.15 $22.83 +$11,706
Step 7 $48,998 $1,884.54 $23.48 +$12,041
Step 8 $50,359 $1,936.88 $24.13 +$12,375
Step 9 $51,721 $1,989.27 $24.78 +$12,710
Step 10 $53,082 $2,041.62 $25.43 +$13,044

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $30,795
  • Boston GS-4 Step 1 $40,828
  • Locality add-on +$10,033
  • Adjustment percent 32.58%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $40,038
  • Boston GS-4 Step 10 $53,082

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 2025, the Boston pay area adds a 32.58% 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 $1,570 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,042. 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-4 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-4 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Boston?
    In 2025, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $40,828 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,082. This is 32.58% 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 2025, it is 32.58%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,033 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 $1,570 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.