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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,284 GS-5 Step 1 in DENVER (2015)
$44,572 GS-5 Step 10 in DENVER (2015)
+$6,302 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,284 $1,318.62 $16.43 +$6,302
Step 2 $35,427 $1,362.58 $16.98 +$6,512
Step 3 $36,570 $1,406.54 $17.52 +$6,722
Step 4 $37,713 $1,450.50 $18.07 +$6,932
Step 5 $38,856 $1,494.46 $18.62 +$7,142
Step 6 $39,999 $1,538.42 $19.17 +$7,352
Step 7 $41,142 $1,582.38 $19.71 +$7,562
Step 8 $42,285 $1,626.35 $20.26 +$7,772
Step 9 $43,428 $1,670.31 $20.81 +$7,982
Step 10 $44,572 $1,714.31 $21.36 +$8,193

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,982
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 1 $34,284
  • Locality add-on +$6,302
  • Adjustment percent 22.52%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,379
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 10 $44,572

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-5 in DENVER: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2015, the DENVER pay area adds a 22.52% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $1,319 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,714. 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-5 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-5 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DENVER?
    In 2015, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $34,284 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,572. This is 22.52% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,302 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $1,319 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.