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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$78,183 GS-12 Step 1 in DENVER (2017)
$101,641 GS-12 Step 10 in DENVER (2017)
+$15,461 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 pay table for DENVER

Each step below already includes the 24.65% 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 $78,183 $3,007.04 $37.46 +$15,461
Step 2 $80,789 $3,107.27 $38.71 +$15,976
Step 3 $83,396 $3,207.54 $39.96 +$16,492
Step 4 $86,002 $3,307.77 $41.21 +$17,007
Step 5 $88,609 $3,408.04 $42.46 +$17,523
Step 6 $91,215 $3,508.27 $43.71 +$18,038
Step 7 $93,822 $3,608.54 $44.96 +$18,554
Step 8 $96,428 $3,708.77 $46.20 +$19,069
Step 9 $99,034 $3,809.00 $47.45 +$19,584
Step 10 $101,641 $3,909.27 $48.70 +$20,100

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 1 $78,183
  • Locality add-on +$15,461
  • Adjustment percent 24.65%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 10 $101,641

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 2017, the DENVER pay area adds a 24.65% 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 $3,007 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,909. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $78,183 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $101,641. This is 24.65% 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 2017, it is 24.65%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,461 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 $3,007 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.