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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,798 GS-12 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2018)
$98,538 GS-12 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2018)
+$12,198 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for BUFFALO

Each step below already includes the 19.18% 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 $75,798 $2,915.31 $36.32 +$12,198
Step 2 $78,325 $3,012.50 $37.53 +$12,605
Step 3 $80,852 $3,109.69 $38.74 +$13,012
Step 4 $83,378 $3,206.85 $39.95 +$13,418
Step 5 $85,905 $3,304.04 $41.16 +$13,825
Step 6 $88,432 $3,401.23 $42.37 +$14,232
Step 7 $90,958 $3,498.38 $43.58 +$14,638
Step 8 $93,485 $3,595.58 $44.79 +$15,045
Step 9 $96,011 $3,692.73 $46.00 +$15,451
Step 10 $98,538 $3,789.92 $47.22 +$15,858
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 1 $75,798
  • Locality add-on +$12,198
  • Adjustment percent 19.18%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 10 $98,538

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 2018, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 19.18% 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 $2,915 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,790. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 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 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $75,798 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $98,538. This is 19.18% 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 2018, it is 19.18%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,198 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 $2,915 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.