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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,542 GS-5 Step 1 in Buffalo (2022)
$48,804 GS-5 Step 10 in Buffalo (2022)
+$6,459 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $37,542 $1,443.92 $17.99 +$6,459
Step 2 $38,793 $1,492.04 $18.59 +$6,674
Step 3 $40,045 $1,540.19 $19.19 +$6,890
Step 4 $41,296 $1,588.31 $19.79 +$7,105
Step 5 $42,547 $1,636.42 $20.39 +$7,320
Step 6 $43,798 $1,684.54 $20.99 +$7,535
Step 7 $45,050 $1,732.69 $21.59 +$7,751
Step 8 $46,301 $1,780.81 $22.19 +$7,966
Step 9 $47,552 $1,828.92 $22.78 +$8,181
Step 10 $48,804 $1,877.08 $23.38 +$8,397
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Buffalo pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $31,083
  • Buffalo GS-5 Step 1 $37,542
  • Locality add-on +$6,459
  • Adjustment percent 20.78%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $40,407
  • Buffalo GS-5 Step 10 $48,804

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 2022, the Buffalo pay area adds a 20.78% 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 $1,444 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,877. 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-5 Buffalo page.

Other grades in Buffalo

GS-5 in Buffalo questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in Buffalo?
    In 2022, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns $37,542 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,804. This is 20.78% 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 2022, it is 20.78%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,459 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 $1,444 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.