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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$118,887 GS-15 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2015)
$154,556 GS-15 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2015)
+$17,257 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $118,887 $4,572.58 $56.97 +$17,257
Step 2 $122,850 $4,725.00 $58.86 +$17,832
Step 3 $126,813 $4,877.42 $60.76 +$18,407
Step 4 $130,777 $5,029.88 $62.66 +$18,983
Step 5 $134,740 $5,182.31 $64.56 +$19,558
Step 6 $138,703 $5,334.73 $66.46 +$20,133
Step 7 $142,666 $5,487.15 $68.36 +$20,708
Step 8 $146,630 $5,639.62 $70.26 +$21,284
Step 9 $150,593 $5,792.04 $72.16 +$21,859
Step 10 $154,556 $5,944.46 $74.06 +$22,434
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 1 $118,887
  • Locality add-on +$17,257
  • Adjustment percent 16.98%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 10 $154,556

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-15 in BUFFALO: what to expect

Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.

For 2015, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 16.98% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.

Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).

The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in BUFFALO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns roughly $4,573 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,944. 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-15 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-15 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $118,887 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $154,556. This is 16.98% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,257 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in BUFFALO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns roughly $4,573 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.