Federal Take-Home Pay in Boston, MA 2026
Estimate your actual biweekly net paycheck as a GS federal employee in Boston, MA (Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT, 32.58% locality). Accounts for FEHB premiums, FERS retirement contributions, TSP, Social Security, Medicare, and 2026 federal income tax withholding. Covers the greater Boston area including Worcester, Providence (RI), and parts of New Hampshire and Maine.
The Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT locality rate of 32.58% ranks #7 out of 47 federal pay areas in 2026. This high locality rate means federal employees earn significantly more than the base schedule — but deductions also scale up proportionally. Locality rates range from 18.15% to 46.34% (San Jose, CA).
Major federal employers in Boston, MA include VA, IRS, Coast Guard, EPA Region 1, Army Corps, FBI. Your locality rate is based on your duty station, not where you live — so teleworking from a different pay area may change your rate.
GS-12 Step 5 Paycheck Breakdown — Boston, MA
Sample biweekly paycheck at GS-12 Step 5 in the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT locality area (32.58%). Uses FERS-FRAE 4.4%, 5% traditional TSP, BCBS Basic Self Only, single filer, no state tax.
| Item | Biweekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay (32.58% locality) | $4,418.96 | $114,893 |
| − FEHB Premium (employee share) | ($133.77) | ($3,478) |
| − Social Security Tax (6.2%) | ($265.68) | ($6,908) |
| − Medicare Tax (1.45%) | ($62.14) | ($1,616) |
| − TSP Traditional (5%) | ($220.95) | ($5,745) |
| − Federal Income Tax Withholding (est.) | ($627.25) | ($16,309) |
| − FERS-FRAE Contribution (4.4%) | ($194.43) | ($5,055) |
| = Net Biweekly Take-Home | $2,914.74 | $75,783/yr |
Sources: OPM 2026 GS pay tables, IRS Pub 15-T (2026), SSA 2026 COLA Fact Sheet, 5 CFR Part 892. All amounts are estimates.
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay in Boston, MA
Use the interactive calculator below to enter your specific grade, step, FERS tier, TSP elections, and FEHB premium. Pre-set to the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT-ME-VT locality area (32.58%).
| Deduction | Biweekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
Gross Biweekly Pay Before any deductions | $4,418.96 | $114,893 |
− FEHB Premium (employee share) Pre-tax (FIT + FICA) | ($133.77) | ($3,478) |
− Social Security Tax (6.2%) FICA | ($265.68) | ($6,908) |
− Medicare Tax (1.45%) FICA | ($62.14) | ($1,616) |
− TSP Traditional (5%) Pre-tax (FIT only) | ($220.95) | ($5,745) |
− Federal Income Tax Withholding (est.) Federal income tax (est.) | ($627.25) | ($16,309) |
− FERS-FRAE Contribution (4.4%) After-tax | ($194.43) | ($5,055) |
| = Net Biweekly Take-Home | $2,914.74 | $75,783/yr |
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions: Take-Home Pay in Boston, MA
What is GS-12 take-home pay in Boston, MA in 2026?
A GS-12 Step 5 federal employee in Boston, MA earns $114,893 gross annually (32.58% locality applied). After FERS-FRAE contributions (4.4%), 5% traditional TSP, FEHB BCBS Basic Self Only ($133.77 biweekly), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and estimated federal income tax withholding, the net biweekly take-home is approximately $2,914.74 — or about $75,783 per year.
How does the Boston, MA locality rate affect my paycheck?
The Boston, MA locality pay adjustment is 32.58% in 2026. This means your GS base salary is multiplied by 1.3258 before any deductions. For a GS-12 Step 5 employee, the 32.58% locality adjustment adds $28,234 to annual pay ($1,085.92 biweekly), but all of that additional pay is also subject to FICA taxes, FERS contributions, and federal income tax.
What percentage of a GS paycheck goes to taxes and deductions in Boston, MA?
For a typical GS-12 Step 5 employee in Boston, MA under the standard assumptions (FERS-FRAE 4.4%, 5% TSP, BCBS Basic Self Only, single filer), total deductions are approximately $1,504.22 per biweekly paycheck — or 34.0% of gross. This includes Social Security ($265.68), Medicare ($62.14), estimated federal income tax ($627.25), FERS ($194.43), FEHB ($133.77), and TSP ($220.95).
How does Boston, MA compare to neighboring localities for take-home pay?
Boston, MA has a 32.58% locality rate, ranking #7 out of 47 pay areas in 2026. Nearby areas include New York, NY (37.95%), Hartford, CT (32.08%), Albany, NY (20.77%). A higher locality rate means higher gross pay — but also higher dollar amounts withheld for FERS, TSP (if elected as a percentage), and FICA taxes.
Does FERS reduce my federal income tax in any locality?
No — FERS employee contributions are after-tax regardless of locality. The Boston, MA locality rate of 32.58% raises your gross pay, but FERS (4.4% for most active employees) is deducted after all taxes are computed. This means a GS-12 Step 5 employee in Boston, MA pays approximately $194.43 biweekly to FERS ($5055/yr), with no income-tax reduction for that contribution.
Does state income tax affect take-home pay for federal employees in Boston, MA?
The default estimate above assumes no state income tax. If you live in a state that taxes income and work in Boston, MA, enter your state's rate in the calculator. States with no income tax (e.g., Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada) save federal employees a significant amount. Covers the greater Boston area including Worcester, Providence (RI), and parts of New Hampshire and Maine.