An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,333 GS-12 Step 1 in DENVER (2015)
$97,938 GS-12 Step 10 in DENVER (2015)
+$13,847 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 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 $75,333 $2,897.42 $36.10 +$13,847
Step 2 $77,844 $2,994.00 $37.30 +$14,308
Step 3 $80,356 $3,090.62 $38.50 +$14,770
Step 4 $82,868 $3,187.23 $39.71 +$15,232
Step 5 $85,379 $3,283.81 $40.91 +$15,693
Step 6 $87,891 $3,380.42 $42.11 +$16,155
Step 7 $90,403 $3,477.04 $43.32 +$16,617
Step 8 $92,914 $3,573.62 $44.52 +$17,078
Step 9 $95,426 $3,670.23 $45.72 +$17,540
Step 10 $97,938 $3,766.85 $46.93 +$18,002

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 1 $75,333
  • Locality add-on +$13,847
  • Adjustment percent 22.52%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 10 $97,938

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 2015, 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 $2,897 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,767. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 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 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $75,333 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,938. 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 2015, it is 22.52%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,847 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 $2,897 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.