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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,497 GS-5 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2018)
$44,847 GS-5 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2018)
+$5,552 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,497 $1,326.81 $16.53 +$5,552
Step 2 $35,647 $1,371.04 $17.08 +$5,737
Step 3 $36,797 $1,415.27 $17.63 +$5,922
Step 4 $37,947 $1,459.50 $18.18 +$6,107
Step 5 $39,097 $1,503.73 $18.73 +$6,292
Step 6 $40,247 $1,547.96 $19.28 +$6,477
Step 7 $41,397 $1,592.19 $19.84 +$6,662
Step 8 $42,547 $1,636.42 $20.39 +$6,847
Step 9 $43,697 $1,680.65 $20.94 +$7,032
Step 10 $44,847 $1,724.88 $21.49 +$7,217
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,945
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 1 $34,497
  • Locality add-on +$5,552
  • Adjustment percent 19.18%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,630
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 10 $44,847

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 2018, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 19.18% 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 $1,327 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,725. 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-5 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-5 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2018, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $34,497 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,847. This is 19.18% 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 2018, it is 19.18%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,552 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 $1,327 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.