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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,328 GS-5 Step 1 in Buffalo (2024)
$53,723 GS-5 Step 10 in Buffalo (2024)
+$7,450 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-5 pay table for Buffalo

Each step below already includes the 21.99% 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 $41,328 $1,589.54 $19.80 +$7,450
Step 2 $42,705 $1,642.50 $20.46 +$7,698
Step 3 $44,082 $1,695.46 $21.12 +$7,946
Step 4 $45,460 $1,748.46 $21.78 +$8,195
Step 5 $46,837 $1,801.42 $22.44 +$8,443
Step 6 $48,214 $1,854.38 $23.10 +$8,691
Step 7 $49,591 $1,907.35 $23.76 +$8,939
Step 8 $50,969 $1,960.35 $24.42 +$9,188
Step 9 $52,346 $2,013.31 $25.08 +$9,436
Step 10 $53,723 $2,066.27 $25.74 +$9,684
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Buffalo pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $33,878
  • Buffalo GS-5 Step 1 $41,328
  • Locality add-on +$7,450
  • Adjustment percent 21.99%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $44,039
  • Buffalo GS-5 Step 10 $53,723

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 2024, the Buffalo pay area adds a 21.99% 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 $1,590 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,066. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 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 2024, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns $41,328 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,723. This is 21.99% 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 2024, it is 21.99%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,450 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 $1,590 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.