An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$81,451 GS-12 Step 1 in DENVER (2019)
$105,890 GS-12 Step 10 in DENVER (2019)
+$16,961 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-12 pay table for DENVER

Each step below already includes the 26.30% 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 $81,451 $3,132.73 $39.03 +$16,961
Step 2 $84,166 $3,237.15 $40.33 +$17,526
Step 3 $86,882 $3,341.62 $41.63 +$18,092
Step 4 $89,597 $3,446.04 $42.93 +$18,657
Step 5 $92,313 $3,550.50 $44.23 +$19,223
Step 6 $95,028 $3,654.92 $45.53 +$19,788
Step 7 $97,744 $3,759.38 $46.83 +$20,354
Step 8 $100,459 $3,863.81 $48.14 +$20,919
Step 9 $103,174 $3,968.23 $49.44 +$21,484
Step 10 $105,890 $4,072.69 $50.74 +$22,050

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $64,490
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 1 $81,451
  • Locality add-on +$16,961
  • Adjustment percent 26.30%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $83,840
  • DENVER GS-12 Step 10 $105,890

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 2019, the DENVER pay area adds a 26.30% 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 $3,133 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,073. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $81,451 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,890. This is 26.30% 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 2019, it is 26.30%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,961 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 $3,133 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.