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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$82,492 GS-12 Step 1 in Buffalo (2022)
$107,243 GS-12 Step 10 in Buffalo (2022)
+$14,193 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-12 pay table for Buffalo

Each step below already includes the 20.78% 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 $82,492 $3,172.77 $39.53 +$14,193
Step 2 $85,242 $3,278.54 $40.84 +$14,666
Step 3 $87,992 $3,384.31 $42.16 +$15,139
Step 4 $90,742 $3,490.08 $43.48 +$15,612
Step 5 $93,492 $3,595.85 $44.80 +$16,085
Step 6 $96,242 $3,701.62 $46.11 +$16,558
Step 7 $98,992 $3,807.38 $47.43 +$17,031
Step 8 $101,743 $3,913.19 $48.75 +$17,505
Step 9 $104,493 $4,018.96 $50.07 +$17,978
Step 10 $107,243 $4,124.73 $51.39 +$18,451
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Buffalo pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $68,299
  • Buffalo GS-12 Step 1 $82,492
  • Locality add-on +$14,193
  • Adjustment percent 20.78%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $88,792
  • Buffalo GS-12 Step 10 $107,243

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 2022, the Buffalo pay area adds a 20.78% 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 $3,173 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,125. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 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 2022, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns $82,492 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $107,243. This is 20.78% 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 2022, it is 20.78%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,193 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 $3,173 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.