GS-5 Pay — Boston-Worcester (2026)
This page shows GS-5 pay in the Boston-Worcester locality pay area for 2026. The Boston-Worcester area adds 32.58% in locality pay on top of the GS-5 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $46,137 | $22.11 | $1,768.80 |
| Step 2 | $47,674 | $22.84 | $1,827.20 |
| Step 3 | $49,212 | $23.58 | $1,886.40 |
| Step 4 | $50,750 | $24.32 | $1,945.60 |
| Step 5 | $52,288 | $25.05 | $2,004.00 |
| Step 6 | $53,826 | $25.79 | $2,063.20 |
| Step 7 | $55,364 | $26.53 | $2,122.40 |
| Step 8 | $56,902 | $27.26 | $2,180.80 |
| Step 9 | $58,440 | $28.00 | $2,240.00 |
| Step 10 | $59,978 | $28.74 | $2,299.20 |
Locality pay is calculated as the base rate multiplied by one plus the locality percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Check another grade, step or locality
| Base pay (before locality) | $39,439 |
| Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT locality | 32.58% |
| Adjusted annual | $52,288 |
| Per month | $4,357 |
| Bi-weekly | $2,004.00 |
| Hourly | $25.05 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Boston-Worcester GS scale
- GS-5 in every locality
- GS-4 in Boston-Worcester
- GS-6 in Boston-Worcester
- GS-5 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-5 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-5 in New York-Newark
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-5 make in Boston-Worcester?
For 2026, GS-5 in Boston-Worcester ranges from $46,137 at the first step to $59,978 at the top step, with $52,288 near the middle.
How is Boston-Worcester locality pay calculated?
The GS-5 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Boston-Worcester locality percentage of 32.58%, then rounded to the nearest dollar.
What is the 2026 raise?
For 2026, the across-the-board base rate rose while locality percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so the Boston-Worcester rate remained 32.58%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-5 figures for Boston-Worcester are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-BOS · effective January 11, 2026 · Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT, 32.58% locality. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.