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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$71,926 GS-12 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2015)
$93,509 GS-12 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2015)
+$10,440 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for BUFFALO

Each step below already includes the 16.98% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $71,926 $2,766.38 $34.46 +$10,440
Step 2 $74,324 $2,858.62 $35.61 +$10,788
Step 3 $76,723 $2,950.88 $36.76 +$11,137
Step 4 $79,121 $3,043.12 $37.91 +$11,485
Step 5 $81,519 $3,135.35 $39.06 +$11,833
Step 6 $83,917 $3,227.58 $40.21 +$12,181
Step 7 $86,315 $3,319.81 $41.36 +$12,529
Step 8 $88,713 $3,412.04 $42.51 +$12,877
Step 9 $91,111 $3,504.27 $43.66 +$13,225
Step 10 $93,509 $3,596.50 $44.81 +$13,573
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 1 $71,926
  • Locality add-on +$10,440
  • Adjustment percent 16.98%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 10 $93,509

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-12 in BUFFALO: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2015, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 16.98% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in BUFFALO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns roughly $2,766 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,597. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-12 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $71,926 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $93,509. This is 16.98% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in BUFFALO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For BUFFALO in 2015, it is 16.98%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,440 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in BUFFALO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns roughly $2,766 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.