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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$124,517 GS-15 Step 1 in DENVER (2015)
$158,700 GS-15 Step 10 in DENVER (2015)
+$22,887 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-15 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-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $124,517 $4,789.12 $59.66 +$22,887
Step 2 $128,668 $4,948.77 $61.65 +$23,650
Step 3 $132,819 $5,108.42 $63.64 +$24,413
Step 4 $136,970 $5,268.08 $65.63 +$25,176
Step 5 $141,121 $5,427.73 $67.62 +$25,939
Step 6 $145,272 $5,587.38 $69.61 +$26,702
Step 7 $149,423 $5,747.04 $71.60 +$27,465
Step 8 $153,574 $5,906.69 $73.59 +$28,228
Step 9 $157,725 $6,066.35 $75.57 +$28,991
Step 10 $158,700 $6,103.85 $76.04 +$26,578
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $101,630
  • DENVER GS-15 Step 1 $124,517
  • Locality add-on +$22,887
  • Adjustment percent 22.52%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $132,122
  • DENVER GS-15 Step 10 $158,700

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-15 in DENVER: 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 2015, the DENVER pay area adds a 22.52% 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 DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $4,789 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,104. 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-15 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-15 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in DENVER?
    In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $124,517 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $158,700. This is 22.52% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,887 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $4,789 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.