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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$131,458 GS-15 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2020)
$170,800 GS-15 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2020)
+$22,092 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for BUFFALO

Each step below already includes the 20.20% 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 $131,458 $5,056.08 $62.99 +$22,092
Step 2 $135,840 $5,224.62 $65.09 +$22,828
Step 3 $140,223 $5,393.19 $67.19 +$23,565
Step 4 $144,605 $5,561.73 $69.29 +$24,301
Step 5 $148,988 $5,730.31 $71.39 +$25,038
Step 6 $153,370 $5,898.85 $73.49 +$25,774
Step 7 $157,753 $6,067.42 $75.59 +$26,511
Step 8 $162,135 $6,235.96 $77.69 +$27,247
Step 9 $166,518 $6,404.54 $79.79 +$27,984
Step 10 $170,800 $6,569.23 $81.84 +$28,620
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 1 $131,458
  • Locality add-on +$22,092
  • Adjustment percent 20.20%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • BUFFALO GS-15 Step 10 $170,800

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 2020, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 20.20% 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 $5,056 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,569. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 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 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $131,458 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $170,800. This is 20.20% 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 2020, it is 20.20%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,092 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 $5,056 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.