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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,871 GS-5 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2017)
$44,038 GS-5 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2017)
+$5,326 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,871 $1,302.73 $16.23 +$5,326
Step 2 $35,001 $1,346.19 $16.77 +$5,504
Step 3 $36,131 $1,389.65 $17.31 +$5,682
Step 4 $37,260 $1,433.08 $17.85 +$5,859
Step 5 $38,390 $1,476.54 $18.39 +$6,037
Step 6 $39,520 $1,520.00 $18.94 +$6,215
Step 7 $40,649 $1,563.42 $19.48 +$6,392
Step 8 $41,779 $1,606.88 $20.02 +$6,570
Step 9 $42,909 $1,650.35 $20.56 +$6,748
Step 10 $44,038 $1,693.77 $21.10 +$6,925
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 1 $33,871
  • Locality add-on +$5,326
  • Adjustment percent 18.66%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 10 $44,038

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 2017, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 18.66% 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 $1,303 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,694. 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-5 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-5 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $33,871 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,038. This is 18.66% 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 2017, it is 18.66%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,326 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 $1,303 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.