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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$49,820 GS-8 Step 1 in DENVER (2018)
$64,771 GS-8 Step 10 in DENVER (2018)
+$10,113 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $49,820 $1,916.15 $23.87 +$10,113
Step 2 $51,482 $1,980.08 $24.67 +$10,451
Step 3 $53,143 $2,043.96 $25.46 +$10,788
Step 4 $54,804 $2,107.85 $26.26 +$11,125
Step 5 $56,465 $2,171.73 $27.06 +$11,462
Step 6 $58,126 $2,235.62 $27.85 +$11,799
Step 7 $59,788 $2,299.54 $28.65 +$12,137
Step 8 $61,449 $2,363.42 $29.44 +$12,474
Step 9 $63,110 $2,427.31 $30.24 +$12,811
Step 10 $64,771 $2,491.19 $31.04 +$13,148

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $39,707
  • DENVER GS-8 Step 1 $49,820
  • Locality add-on +$10,113
  • Adjustment percent 25.47%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $51,623
  • DENVER GS-8 Step 10 $64,771

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-8 in DENVER: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2018, the DENVER pay area adds a 25.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $1,916 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,491. 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-8 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-8 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in DENVER?
    In 2018, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $49,820 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $64,771. This is 25.47% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,113 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $1,916 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.