2018 GS-15 Pay in DENVER
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 25.47% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $105,123 on the base table to $131,898 in DENVER.
2018 GS-15 Pay in DENVER
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Denver-Aurora, CO.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $131,898 | $5,073.00 | $63.20 | +$26,775 |
| Step 2 | $136,294 | $5,242.08 | $65.31 | +$27,667 |
| Step 3 | $140,691 | $5,411.19 | $67.41 | +$28,560 |
| Step 4 | $145,087 | $5,580.27 | $69.52 | +$29,452 |
| Step 5 | $149,484 | $5,749.38 | $71.63 | +$30,345 |
| Step 6 | $153,880 | $5,918.46 | $73.73 | +$31,237 |
| Step 7 | $158,277 | $6,087.58 | $75.84 | +$32,130 |
| Step 8 | $162,673 | $6,256.65 | $77.95 | +$33,022 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
2018 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $131,898 | $5,073.00 | $63.20 | +$26,775 |
| Step 2 | $136,294 | $5,242.08 | $65.31 | +$27,667 |
| Step 3 | $140,691 | $5,411.19 | $67.41 | +$28,560 |
| Step 4 | $145,087 | $5,580.27 | $69.52 | +$29,452 |
| Step 5 | $149,484 | $5,749.38 | $71.63 | +$30,345 |
| Step 6 | $153,880 | $5,918.46 | $73.73 | +$31,237 |
| Step 7 | $158,277 | $6,087.58 | $75.84 | +$32,130 |
| Step 8 | $162,673 | $6,256.65 | $77.95 | +$33,022 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more DENVER pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in DENVER: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2018, the DENVER pay area adds a 25.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in DENVER
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $5,073 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,315. 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-15 DENVER page.
Other grades in DENVER
GS-15 in DENVER questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in DENVER?
In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $131,898 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,200. This is 25.47% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,775 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in DENVER?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $5,073 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.