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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,154 GS-5 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2016)
$43,100 GS-5 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2016)
+$4,892 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,154 $1,275.15 $15.89 +$4,892
Step 2 $34,259 $1,317.65 $16.42 +$5,055
Step 3 $35,364 $1,360.15 $16.94 +$5,218
Step 4 $36,469 $1,402.65 $17.47 +$5,381
Step 5 $37,574 $1,445.15 $18.00 +$5,544
Step 6 $38,679 $1,487.65 $18.53 +$5,707
Step 7 $39,785 $1,530.19 $19.06 +$5,871
Step 8 $40,890 $1,572.69 $19.59 +$6,034
Step 9 $41,995 $1,615.19 $20.12 +$6,197
Step 10 $43,100 $1,657.69 $20.65 +$6,360
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 1 $33,154
  • Locality add-on +$4,892
  • Adjustment percent 17.31%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 10 $43,100

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-5 in BUFFALO: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2016, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 17.31% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in BUFFALO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns roughly $1,275 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,658. 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-5 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-5 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $33,154 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,100. This is 17.31% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,892 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in BUFFALO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns roughly $1,275 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.