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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,581 GS-5 Step 1 in DENVER (2017)
$46,261 GS-5 Step 10 in DENVER (2017)
+$7,036 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,581 $1,368.50 $17.05 +$7,036
Step 2 $36,768 $1,414.15 $17.62 +$7,271
Step 3 $37,955 $1,459.81 $18.19 +$7,506
Step 4 $39,141 $1,505.42 $18.75 +$7,740
Step 5 $40,328 $1,551.08 $19.32 +$7,975
Step 6 $41,515 $1,596.73 $19.89 +$8,210
Step 7 $42,701 $1,642.35 $20.46 +$8,444
Step 8 $43,888 $1,688.00 $21.03 +$8,679
Step 9 $45,075 $1,733.65 $21.60 +$8,914
Step 10 $46,261 $1,779.27 $22.17 +$9,148

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 1 $35,581
  • Locality add-on +$7,036
  • Adjustment percent 24.65%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 10 $46,261

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 2017, the DENVER pay area adds a 24.65% 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 $1,369 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,779. 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-5 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-5 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DENVER?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $35,581 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,261. This is 24.65% 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 2017, it is 24.65%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,036 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 $1,369 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.