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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$50,920 GS-6 Step 1 in Boston (2025)
$66,193 GS-6 Step 10 in Boston (2025)
+$12,513 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $50,920 $1,958.46 $24.40 +$12,513
Step 2 $52,617 $2,023.73 $25.21 +$12,930
Step 3 $54,314 $2,089.00 $26.02 +$13,347
Step 4 $56,011 $2,154.27 $26.84 +$13,764
Step 5 $57,708 $2,219.54 $27.65 +$14,181
Step 6 $59,405 $2,284.81 $28.46 +$14,598
Step 7 $61,102 $2,350.08 $29.28 +$15,015
Step 8 $62,799 $2,415.35 $30.09 +$15,432
Step 9 $64,496 $2,480.62 $30.90 +$15,849
Step 10 $66,193 $2,545.88 $31.72 +$16,266

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Boston pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $38,407
  • Boston GS-6 Step 1 $50,920
  • Locality add-on +$12,513
  • Adjustment percent 32.58%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $49,927
  • Boston GS-6 Step 10 $66,193

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-6 in Boston: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2025, the Boston pay area adds a 32.58% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Boston

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $1,958 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,546. 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-6 Boston page.

Other grades in Boston

GS-6 in Boston questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Boston?
    In 2025, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $50,920 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $66,193. This is 32.58% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,513 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Boston?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $1,958 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.