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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,645 GS-1 Step 1 in Buffalo (2026)
$34,578 GS-1 Step 10 in Buffalo (2026)
+$5,061 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-1 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-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $27,645 $1,063.27 $13.25 +$5,061
Step 2 $28,572 $1,098.92 $13.69 +$5,231
Step 3 $29,491 $1,134.27 $14.13 +$5,399
Step 4 $30,407 $1,169.50 $14.57 +$5,567
Step 5 $31,323 $1,204.73 $15.01 +$5,734
Step 6 $31,861 $1,225.42 $15.27 +$5,833
Step 7 $32,770 $1,260.38 $15.70 +$5,999
Step 8 $33,686 $1,295.62 $16.14 +$6,167
Step 9 $33,724 $1,297.08 $16.16 +$6,174
Step 10 $34,578 $1,329.92 $16.57 +$6,330
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Buffalo pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $22,584
  • Buffalo GS-1 Step 1 $27,645
  • Locality add-on +$5,061
  • Adjustment percent 22.41%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $28,248
  • Buffalo GS-1 Step 10 $34,578

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-1 in Buffalo: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2026, the Buffalo pay area adds a 22.41% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Buffalo

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns roughly $1,063 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,330. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Buffalo

GS-1 in Buffalo questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Buffalo?
    In 2026, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns $27,645 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $34,578. This is 22.41% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Buffalo?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Buffalo in 2026, it is 22.41%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,061 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Buffalo?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns roughly $1,063 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.