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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$127,562 GS-15 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2019)
$165,829 GS-15 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2019)
+$20,967 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $127,562 $4,906.23 $61.12 +$20,967
Step 2 $131,814 $5,069.77 $63.16 +$21,666
Step 3 $136,066 $5,233.31 $65.20 +$22,365
Step 4 $140,318 $5,396.85 $67.23 +$23,064
Step 5 $144,570 $5,560.38 $69.27 +$23,763
Step 6 $148,822 $5,723.92 $71.31 +$24,462
Step 7 $153,073 $5,887.42 $73.35 +$25,160
Step 8 $157,325 $6,050.96 $75.38 +$25,859
Step 9 $161,577 $6,214.50 $77.42 +$26,558
Step 10 $165,829 $6,378.04 $79.46 +$27,257
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $106,595
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 1 $127,562
  • Locality add-on +$20,967
  • Adjustment percent 19.67%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $138,572
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 10 $165,829

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 2019, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 19.67% 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 $4,906 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,378. 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-15 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-15 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $127,562 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $165,829. This is 19.67% 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 2019, it is 19.67%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,967 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 $4,906 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.