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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,328 GS-12 Step 1 in BUFFALO (2021)
$104,431 GS-12 Step 10 in BUFFALO (2021)
+$13,499 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $80,328 $3,089.54 $38.49 +$13,499
Step 2 $83,007 $3,192.58 $39.77 +$13,950
Step 3 $85,685 $3,295.58 $41.06 +$14,400
Step 4 $88,363 $3,398.58 $42.34 +$14,850
Step 5 $91,041 $3,501.58 $43.62 +$15,300
Step 6 $93,719 $3,604.58 $44.91 +$15,750
Step 7 $96,397 $3,707.58 $46.19 +$16,200
Step 8 $99,075 $3,810.58 $47.47 +$16,650
Step 9 $101,753 $3,913.58 $48.76 +$17,100
Step 10 $104,431 $4,016.58 $50.04 +$17,550
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more BUFFALO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 1 $80,328
  • Locality add-on +$13,499
  • Adjustment percent 20.20%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • BUFFALO GS-12 Step 10 $104,431

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 2021, the BUFFALO pay area adds a 20.20% 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 $3,090 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,017. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 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 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $80,328 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $104,431. This is 20.20% 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 2021, it is 20.20%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,499 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 $3,090 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.