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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$77,175 GS-12 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2019)
$100,331 GS-12 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2019)
+$12,685 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for BUFFALO

Each step below already includes the 19.67% 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 $77,175 $2,968.27 $36.98 +$12,685
Step 2 $79,748 $3,067.23 $38.21 +$13,108
Step 3 $82,321 $3,166.19 $39.44 +$13,531
Step 4 $84,894 $3,265.15 $40.68 +$13,954
Step 5 $87,467 $3,364.12 $41.91 +$14,377
Step 6 $90,040 $3,463.08 $43.14 +$14,800
Step 7 $92,613 $3,562.04 $44.38 +$15,223
Step 8 $95,186 $3,661.00 $45.61 +$15,646
Step 9 $97,758 $3,759.92 $46.84 +$16,068
Step 10 $100,331 $3,858.88 $48.07 +$16,491
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 1 $77,175
  • Locality add-on +$12,685
  • Adjustment percent 19.67%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 10 $100,331

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 2019, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 19.67% 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 $2,968 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,859. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $77,175 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,331. This is 19.67% 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 2019, it is 19.67%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,685 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 $2,968 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.