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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,742 GS-5 Step 1 in DENVER (2016)
$45,164 GS-5 Step 10 in DENVER (2016)
+$6,480 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,742 $1,336.23 $16.65 +$6,480
Step 2 $35,900 $1,380.77 $17.20 +$6,696
Step 3 $37,058 $1,425.31 $17.76 +$6,912
Step 4 $38,216 $1,469.85 $18.31 +$7,128
Step 5 $39,374 $1,514.38 $18.87 +$7,344
Step 6 $40,532 $1,558.92 $19.42 +$7,560
Step 7 $41,690 $1,603.46 $19.98 +$7,776
Step 8 $42,848 $1,648.00 $20.53 +$7,992
Step 9 $44,006 $1,692.54 $21.09 +$8,208
Step 10 $45,164 $1,737.08 $21.64 +$8,424

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,262
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 1 $34,742
  • Locality add-on +$6,480
  • Adjustment percent 22.93%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,740
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 10 $45,164

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 2016, the DENVER pay area adds a 22.93% 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 $1,336 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,737. 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-5 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-5 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DENVER?
    In 2016, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $34,742 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,164. This is 22.93% 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 2016, it is 22.93%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,480 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 $1,336 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.