2026 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 $126,384 on the base table to $154,707 in Buffalo.
2026 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 | $154,707 | $5,950.27 | $74.13 | +$28,323 |
| Step 2 | $159,864 | $6,148.62 | $76.60 | +$29,267 |
| Step 3 | $165,021 | $6,346.96 | $79.07 | +$30,211 |
| Step 4 | $170,178 | $6,545.31 | $81.54 | +$31,155 |
| Step 5 | $175,335 | $6,743.65 | $84.01 | +$32,099 |
| Step 6 | $180,492 | $6,942.00 | $86.48 | +$33,043 |
| Step 7 | $185,649 | $7,140.35 | $88.95 | +$33,987 |
| Step 8 | $190,807 | $7,338.73 | $91.43 | +$34,932 |
| Step 9 | $195,964 | $7,537.08 | $93.90 | +$35,876 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 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 | $154,707 | $5,950.27 | $74.13 | +$28,323 |
| Step 2 | $159,864 | $6,148.62 | $76.60 | +$29,267 |
| Step 3 | $165,021 | $6,346.96 | $79.07 | +$30,211 |
| Step 4 | $170,178 | $6,545.31 | $81.54 | +$31,155 |
| Step 5 | $175,335 | $6,743.65 | $84.01 | +$32,099 |
| Step 6 | $180,492 | $6,942.00 | $86.48 | +$33,043 |
| Step 7 | $185,649 | $7,140.35 | $88.95 | +$33,987 |
| Step 8 | $190,807 | $7,338.73 | $91.43 | +$34,932 |
| Step 9 | $195,964 | $7,537.08 | $93.90 | +$35,876 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
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 2026, 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 $5,950 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Buffalo
GS-15 in Buffalo questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Buffalo?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Buffalo earns $154,707 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. 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 2026, it is 22.41%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,323 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 $5,950 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.