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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,123 GS-5 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2019)
$45,656 GS-5 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2019)
+$5,773 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,123 $1,350.88 $16.83 +$5,773
Step 2 $36,294 $1,395.92 $17.39 +$5,966
Step 3 $37,464 $1,440.92 $17.95 +$6,158
Step 4 $38,634 $1,485.92 $18.51 +$6,350
Step 5 $39,805 $1,530.96 $19.07 +$6,543
Step 6 $40,975 $1,575.96 $19.63 +$6,735
Step 7 $42,145 $1,620.96 $20.19 +$6,927
Step 8 $43,316 $1,666.00 $20.76 +$7,120
Step 9 $44,486 $1,711.00 $21.32 +$7,312
Step 10 $45,656 $1,756.00 $21.88 +$7,504
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 1 $35,123
  • Locality add-on +$5,773
  • Adjustment percent 19.67%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 10 $45,656

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 2019, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 19.67% 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 $1,351 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,756. 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-5 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-5 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $35,123 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,656. This is 19.67% 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 2019, it is 19.67%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,773 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 $1,351 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.