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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,662 GS-3 Step 1 in DENVER (2016)
$35,959 GS-3 Step 10 in DENVER (2016)
+$5,160 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-3 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-3 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $27,662 $1,063.92 $13.25 +$5,160
Step 2 $28,584 $1,099.38 $13.70 +$5,332
Step 3 $29,506 $1,134.85 $14.14 +$5,504
Step 4 $30,428 $1,170.31 $14.58 +$5,676
Step 5 $31,350 $1,205.77 $15.02 +$5,848
Step 6 $32,272 $1,241.23 $15.46 +$6,020
Step 7 $33,194 $1,276.69 $15.91 +$6,192
Step 8 $34,116 $1,312.15 $16.35 +$6,364
Step 9 $35,038 $1,347.62 $16.79 +$6,536
Step 10 $35,959 $1,383.04 $17.23 +$6,707

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-3 Step 1 $22,502
  • DENVER GS-3 Step 1 $27,662
  • Locality add-on +$5,160
  • Adjustment percent 22.93%
  • Base GS-3 Step 10 $29,252
  • DENVER GS-3 Step 10 $35,959

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-3 in DENVER: what to expect

Routine clerical, office assistant and technician-support roles. Common entry grade for recent high school graduates.

For 2016, the DENVER pay area adds a 22.93% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-3 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of general experience or one year of post-secondary education.

Promotion path. Non-competitive promotion to GS-4 after one year of satisfactory performance.

The rough military equivalent for GS-3 is E-4 Specialist, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-3 in DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-3 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $1,064 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,383. 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-3 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-3 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-3 make in DENVER?
    In 2016, a GS-3 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $27,662 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $35,959. This is 22.93% higher than the base GS-3 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-3 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-3 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,160 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-3 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-3 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $1,064 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.