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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$72,851 GS-12 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2016)
$94,706 GS-12 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2016)
+$10,750 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for BUFFALO

Each step below already includes the 17.31% 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 $72,851 $2,801.96 $34.91 +$10,750
Step 2 $75,279 $2,895.35 $36.07 +$11,108
Step 3 $77,707 $2,988.73 $37.23 +$11,466
Step 4 $80,136 $3,082.15 $38.40 +$11,825
Step 5 $82,564 $3,175.54 $39.56 +$12,183
Step 6 $84,992 $3,268.92 $40.72 +$12,541
Step 7 $87,421 $3,362.35 $41.89 +$12,900
Step 8 $89,849 $3,455.73 $43.05 +$13,258
Step 9 $92,277 $3,549.12 $44.22 +$13,616
Step 10 $94,706 $3,642.54 $45.38 +$13,975
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 1 $72,851
  • Locality add-on +$10,750
  • Adjustment percent 17.31%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 10 $94,706

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 2016, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 17.31% 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 $2,802 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,643. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $72,851 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $94,706. This is 17.31% 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 2016, it is 17.31%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,750 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 $2,802 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.