2019 GS-15 Pay in DENVER
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 26.30% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $106,595 on the base table to $134,629 in DENVER.
2019 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 | $134,629 | $5,178.04 | $64.51 | +$28,034 |
| Step 2 | $139,117 | $5,350.65 | $66.66 | +$28,969 |
| Step 3 | $143,604 | $5,523.23 | $68.81 | +$29,903 |
| Step 4 | $148,092 | $5,695.85 | $70.96 | +$30,838 |
| Step 5 | $152,579 | $5,868.42 | $73.11 | +$31,772 |
| Step 6 | $157,067 | $6,041.04 | $75.26 | +$32,707 |
| Step 7 | $161,554 | $6,213.62 | $77.41 | +$33,641 |
| Step 8 | $166,042 | $6,386.23 | $79.56 | +$34,576 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
2019 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,629 | $5,178.04 | $64.51 | +$28,034 |
| Step 2 | $139,117 | $5,350.65 | $66.66 | +$28,969 |
| Step 3 | $143,604 | $5,523.23 | $68.81 | +$29,903 |
| Step 4 | $148,092 | $5,695.85 | $70.96 | +$30,838 |
| Step 5 | $152,579 | $5,868.42 | $73.11 | +$31,772 |
| Step 6 | $157,067 | $6,041.04 | $75.26 | +$32,707 |
| Step 7 | $161,554 | $6,213.62 | $77.41 | +$33,641 |
| Step 8 | $166,042 | $6,386.23 | $79.56 | +$34,576 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
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 2019, the DENVER pay area adds a 26.30% 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 $5,178 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. 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-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 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $134,629 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 26.30% 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 2019, it is 26.30%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,034 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 $5,178 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.