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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,317 GS-5 Step 1 in DENVER (2018)
$47,214 GS-5 Step 10 in DENVER (2018)
+$7,372 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,317 $1,396.81 $17.40 +$7,372
Step 2 $37,528 $1,443.38 $17.98 +$7,618
Step 3 $38,739 $1,489.96 $18.56 +$7,864
Step 4 $39,950 $1,536.54 $19.14 +$8,110
Step 5 $41,160 $1,583.08 $19.72 +$8,355
Step 6 $42,371 $1,629.65 $20.30 +$8,601
Step 7 $43,582 $1,676.23 $20.88 +$8,847
Step 8 $44,793 $1,722.81 $21.46 +$9,093
Step 9 $46,004 $1,769.38 $22.04 +$9,339
Step 10 $47,214 $1,815.92 $22.62 +$9,584

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,945
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 1 $36,317
  • Locality add-on +$7,372
  • Adjustment percent 25.47%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,630
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 10 $47,214

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 2018, the DENVER pay area adds a 25.47% 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 $1,397 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,816. 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-5 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-5 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DENVER?
    In 2018, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $36,317 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,214. This is 25.47% 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 2018, it is 25.47%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,372 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 $1,397 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.