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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$123,017 GS-15 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2017)
$159,925 GS-15 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2017)
+$19,345 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-15 pay table for BUFFALO

Each step below already includes the 18.66% 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 $123,017 $4,731.42 $58.94 +$19,345
Step 2 $127,118 $4,889.15 $60.91 +$19,990
Step 3 $131,219 $5,046.88 $62.87 +$20,635
Step 4 $135,320 $5,204.62 $64.84 +$21,280
Step 5 $139,421 $5,362.35 $66.80 +$21,925
Step 6 $143,522 $5,520.08 $68.77 +$22,570
Step 7 $147,623 $5,677.81 $70.73 +$23,215
Step 8 $151,723 $5,835.50 $72.70 +$23,859
Step 9 $155,824 $5,993.23 $74.66 +$24,504
Step 10 $159,925 $6,150.96 $76.63 +$25,149
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $103,672
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 1 $123,017
  • Locality add-on +$19,345
  • Adjustment percent 18.66%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $134,776
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 10 $159,925

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 2017, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 18.66% 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 $4,731 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,151. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $123,017 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $159,925. This is 18.66% 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 2017, it is 18.66%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,345 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 $4,731 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.