2026 GS-15 Pay in Boston
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT earn 32.58% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $167,560 in Boston.
2026 GS-15 Pay in Boston
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $167,560 | $6,444.62 | $80.29 | +$41,176 |
| Step 2 | $173,146 | $6,659.46 | $82.96 | +$42,549 |
| Step 3 | $178,731 | $6,874.27 | $85.64 | +$43,921 |
| Step 4 | $184,317 | $7,089.12 | $88.32 | +$45,294 |
| Step 5 | $189,902 | $7,303.92 | $90.99 | +$46,666 |
| Step 6 | $195,488 | $7,518.77 | $93.67 | +$48,039 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $167,560 | $6,444.62 | $80.29 | +$41,176 |
| Step 2 | $173,146 | $6,659.46 | $82.96 | +$42,549 |
| Step 3 | $178,731 | $6,874.27 | $85.64 | +$43,921 |
| Step 4 | $184,317 | $7,089.12 | $88.32 | +$45,294 |
| Step 5 | $189,902 | $7,303.92 | $90.99 | +$46,666 |
| Step 6 | $195,488 | $7,518.77 | $93.67 | +$48,039 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Boston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Boston: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2026, the Boston pay area adds a 32.58% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Boston
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $6,445 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Boston
GS-15 in Boston questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Boston?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $167,560 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 32.58% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Boston?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Boston in 2026, it is 32.58%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $41,176 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Boston?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Boston earns roughly $6,445 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.