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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,196 GS-5 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2020)
$47,057 GS-5 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2020)
+$6,083 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,196 $1,392.15 $17.34 +$6,083
Step 2 $37,403 $1,438.58 $17.92 +$6,286
Step 3 $38,609 $1,484.96 $18.50 +$6,488
Step 4 $39,816 $1,531.38 $19.08 +$6,691
Step 5 $41,023 $1,577.81 $19.66 +$6,894
Step 6 $42,230 $1,624.23 $20.23 +$7,097
Step 7 $43,437 $1,670.65 $20.81 +$7,300
Step 8 $44,643 $1,717.04 $21.39 +$7,502
Step 9 $45,850 $1,763.46 $21.97 +$7,705
Step 10 $47,057 $1,809.88 $22.55 +$7,908
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 1 $36,196
  • Locality add-on +$6,083
  • Adjustment percent 20.20%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • BUFFALO GS-5 Step 10 $47,057

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 2020, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 20.20% 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 $1,392 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,810. 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-5 BUFFALO page.

Other grades in BUFFALO

GS-5 in BUFFALO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in BUFFALO?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $36,196 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,057. This is 20.20% 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 2020, it is 20.20%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,083 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 $1,392 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.