2026 GS-6 Pay in Boston
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT earn 32.58% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $38,791 on the base table to $51,429 in Boston.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Boston
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $51,429 | $1,978.04 | $24.64 | +$12,638 |
| Step 2 | $53,143 | $2,043.96 | $25.46 | +$13,059 |
| Step 3 | $54,858 | $2,109.92 | $26.29 | +$13,481 |
| Step 4 | $56,572 | $2,175.85 | $27.11 | +$13,902 |
| Step 5 | $58,286 | $2,241.77 | $27.93 | +$14,323 |
| Step 6 | $60,000 | $2,307.69 | $28.75 | +$14,744 |
| Step 7 | $61,715 | $2,373.65 | $29.57 | +$15,166 |
| Step 8 | $63,429 | $2,439.58 | $30.39 | +$15,587 |
| Step 9 | $65,143 | $2,505.50 | $31.21 | +$16,008 |
| Step 10 | $66,857 | $2,571.42 | $32.03 | +$16,429 |
2026 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 | $51,429 | $1,978.04 | $24.64 | +$12,638 |
| Step 2 | $53,143 | $2,043.96 | $25.46 | +$13,059 |
| Step 3 | $54,858 | $2,109.92 | $26.29 | +$13,481 |
| Step 4 | $56,572 | $2,175.85 | $27.11 | +$13,902 |
| Step 5 | $58,286 | $2,241.77 | $27.93 | +$14,323 |
| Step 6 | $60,000 | $2,307.69 | $28.75 | +$14,744 |
| Step 7 | $61,715 | $2,373.65 | $29.57 | +$15,166 |
| Step 8 | $63,429 | $2,439.58 | $30.39 | +$15,587 |
| Step 9 | $65,143 | $2,505.50 | $31.21 | +$16,008 |
| Step 10 | $66,857 | $2,571.42 | $32.03 | +$16,429 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Boston pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Boston: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, 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 $1,978 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,571. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Boston
GS-6 in Boston questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Boston?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Boston earns $51,429 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $66,857. 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 2026, it is 32.58%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,638 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 $1,978 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.