2025 GS-15 Pay in Buffalo
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Olean, NY earn 22.41% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $125,133 on the base table to $153,175 in Buffalo.
2025 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 | $153,175 | $5,891.35 | $73.39 | +$28,042 |
| Step 2 | $158,281 | $6,087.73 | $75.84 | +$28,977 |
| Step 3 | $163,387 | $6,284.12 | $78.29 | +$29,912 |
| Step 4 | $168,492 | $6,480.46 | $80.73 | +$30,846 |
| Step 5 | $173,598 | $6,676.85 | $83.18 | +$31,781 |
| Step 6 | $178,704 | $6,873.23 | $85.63 | +$32,716 |
| Step 7 | $183,810 | $7,069.62 | $88.07 | +$33,651 |
| Step 8 | $188,915 | $7,265.96 | $90.52 | +$34,585 |
| Step 9 | $194,021 | $7,462.35 | $92.97 | +$35,520 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Buffalo
Each step below already includes the 22.41% 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 | $153,175 | $5,891.35 | $73.39 | +$28,042 |
| Step 2 | $158,281 | $6,087.73 | $75.84 | +$28,977 |
| Step 3 | $163,387 | $6,284.12 | $78.29 | +$29,912 |
| Step 4 | $168,492 | $6,480.46 | $80.73 | +$30,846 |
| Step 5 | $173,598 | $6,676.85 | $83.18 | +$31,781 |
| Step 6 | $178,704 | $6,873.23 | $85.63 | +$32,716 |
| Step 7 | $183,810 | $7,069.62 | $88.07 | +$33,651 |
| Step 8 | $188,915 | $7,265.96 | $90.52 | +$34,585 |
| Step 9 | $194,021 | $7,462.35 | $92.97 | +$35,520 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
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 2025, the Buffalo pay area adds a 22.41% 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 $5,891 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,508. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2025 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 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns $153,175 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,200. This is 22.41% 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 2025, it is 22.41%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,042 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 $5,891 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.