2021 GS-15 Pay in BUFFALO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY earn 20.20% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $110,460 on the base table to $132,773 in BUFFALO.
2021 GS-15 Pay in BUFFALO
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $132,773 | $5,106.65 | $63.62 | +$22,313 |
| Step 2 | $137,199 | $5,276.88 | $65.74 | +$23,057 |
| Step 3 | $141,624 | $5,447.08 | $67.86 | +$23,800 |
| Step 4 | $146,050 | $5,617.31 | $69.98 | +$24,544 |
| Step 5 | $150,476 | $5,787.54 | $72.10 | +$25,288 |
| Step 6 | $154,902 | $5,957.77 | $74.22 | +$26,032 |
| Step 7 | $159,328 | $6,128.00 | $76.34 | +$26,776 |
| Step 8 | $163,753 | $6,298.19 | $78.46 | +$27,519 |
| Step 9 | $168,179 | $6,468.42 | $80.58 | +$28,263 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
2021 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 | $132,773 | $5,106.65 | $63.62 | +$22,313 |
| Step 2 | $137,199 | $5,276.88 | $65.74 | +$23,057 |
| Step 3 | $141,624 | $5,447.08 | $67.86 | +$23,800 |
| Step 4 | $146,050 | $5,617.31 | $69.98 | +$24,544 |
| Step 5 | $150,476 | $5,787.54 | $72.10 | +$25,288 |
| Step 6 | $154,902 | $5,957.77 | $74.22 | +$26,032 |
| Step 7 | $159,328 | $6,128.00 | $76.34 | +$26,776 |
| Step 8 | $163,753 | $6,298.19 | $78.46 | +$27,519 |
| Step 9 | $168,179 | $6,468.42 | $80.58 | +$28,263 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more BUFFALO pays
Step-increase waiting periods
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 2021, 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 $5,107 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,635. 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-15 BUFFALO page.
Other grades in BUFFALO
GS-15 in BUFFALO questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in BUFFALO?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in BUFFALO earns $132,773 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. 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 2021, it is 20.20%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,313 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 $5,107 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.