Federal Employee Pay Raise Announced for Boston-Providence Region

Federal employees in the Boston-Worcester-Providence,MA-RI-NH-CT-ME metropolitan area will receive a 32.58% locality pay increase, effective January 12, 2026. This adjustment aims to better align federal salaries with the higher cost of living in this region.

The pay raise applies to employees within General Schedule (GS) pay grades CL 21 through CL 25. Locality pay is a component of federal employee compensation that recognizes geographic differences in the cost of living. It’s added to base pay to help federal employees maintain a comparable standard of living regardless of where they work.

This notable increase reflects the particularly high expenses associated with housing,transportation,and othre essential goods and services in the Boston-Providence area. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determines locality pay percentages annually based on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

What this means for federal employees:

• Increased Earnings: Employees will see a ample boost to their paychecks.
• Improved Standard of Living: The raise helps offset the high cost of living.
• Attracting and Retaining Talent: Competitive pay is crucial for attracting and keeping skilled federal workers in expensive areas.

Federal employees can find detailed information about their specific pay adjustments and locality pay rates on the Office of Personnel Management website. It’s important to consult official OPM resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Key Resources:

• OPM Locality Pay Information
• FederalPay.org – Provides detailed federal pay scales.

Published: 2025/12/25 10:42:57