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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$74,587 GS-12 Step 1 in DENVER (2014)
$96,960 GS-12 Step 10 in DENVER (2014)
+$13,710 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-12 pay table for DENVER

Each step below already includes the 22.52% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $74,587 $2,868.73 $35.74 +$13,710
Step 2 $77,072 $2,964.31 $36.93 +$14,166
Step 3 $79,558 $3,059.92 $38.12 +$14,623
Step 4 $82,044 $3,155.54 $39.31 +$15,080
Step 5 $84,530 $3,251.15 $40.50 +$15,537
Step 6 $87,016 $3,346.77 $41.69 +$15,994
Step 7 $89,502 $3,442.38 $42.89 +$16,451
Step 8 $91,988 $3,538.00 $44.08 +$16,908
Step 9 $94,474 $3,633.62 $45.27 +$17,365
Step 10 $96,960 $3,729.23 $46.46 +$17,822

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $60,877
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 1 $74,587
  • Locality add-on +$13,710
  • Adjustment percent 22.52%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,138
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 10 $96,960

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-12 in DENVER: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2014, the DENVER pay area adds a 22.52% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $2,869 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,729. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2014 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-12 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in DENVER?
    In 2014, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $74,587 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $96,960. This is 22.52% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in DENVER?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DENVER in 2014, it is 22.52%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,710 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $2,869 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.