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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,799 GS-12 Step 1 in DENVER (2018)
$103,739 GS-12 Step 10 in DENVER (2018)
+$16,199 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for DENVER

Each step below already includes the 25.47% 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 $79,799 $3,069.19 $38.24 +$16,199
Step 2 $82,459 $3,171.50 $39.51 +$16,739
Step 3 $85,119 $3,273.81 $40.79 +$17,279
Step 4 $87,779 $3,376.12 $42.06 +$17,819
Step 5 $90,439 $3,478.42 $43.33 +$18,359
Step 6 $93,099 $3,580.73 $44.61 +$18,899
Step 7 $95,759 $3,683.04 $45.88 +$19,439
Step 8 $98,419 $3,785.35 $47.16 +$19,979
Step 9 $101,079 $3,887.65 $48.43 +$20,519
Step 10 $103,739 $3,989.96 $49.71 +$21,059

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 1 $79,799
  • Locality add-on +$16,199
  • Adjustment percent 25.47%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 10 $103,739

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 2018, the DENVER pay area adds a 25.47% 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 $3,069 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,990. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 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 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $79,799 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,739. This is 25.47% 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 2018, it is 25.47%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,199 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 $3,069 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.