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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,341 GS-12 Step 1 in DENVER (2016)
$99,243 GS-12 Step 10 in DENVER (2016)
+$14,240 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-12 pay table for DENVER

Each step below already includes the 22.93% 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 $76,341 $2,936.19 $36.58 +$14,240
Step 2 $78,885 $3,034.04 $37.80 +$14,714
Step 3 $81,430 $3,131.92 $39.02 +$15,189
Step 4 $83,975 $3,229.81 $40.24 +$15,664
Step 5 $86,519 $3,327.65 $41.46 +$16,138
Step 6 $89,064 $3,425.54 $42.68 +$16,613
Step 7 $91,609 $3,523.42 $43.90 +$17,088
Step 8 $94,153 $3,621.27 $45.11 +$17,562
Step 9 $96,698 $3,719.15 $46.33 +$18,037
Step 10 $99,243 $3,817.04 $47.55 +$18,512

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,101
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 1 $76,341
  • Locality add-on +$14,240
  • Adjustment percent 22.93%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $80,731
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 10 $99,243

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 2016, the DENVER pay area adds a 22.93% 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 $2,936 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,817. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 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 2016, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $76,341 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $99,243. This is 22.93% 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 2016, it is 22.93%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,240 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 $2,936 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.