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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$37,069 GS-5 Step 1 in DENVER (2019)
$48,186 GS-5 Step 10 in DENVER (2019)
+$7,719 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $37,069 $1,425.73 $17.76 +$7,719
Step 2 $38,304 $1,473.23 $18.35 +$7,976
Step 3 $39,539 $1,520.73 $18.95 +$8,233
Step 4 $40,775 $1,568.27 $19.54 +$8,491
Step 5 $42,010 $1,615.77 $20.13 +$8,748
Step 6 $43,245 $1,663.27 $20.72 +$9,005
Step 7 $44,480 $1,710.77 $21.31 +$9,262
Step 8 $45,716 $1,758.31 $21.91 +$9,520
Step 9 $46,951 $1,805.81 $22.50 +$9,777
Step 10 $48,186 $1,853.31 $23.09 +$10,034

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $29,350
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 1 $37,069
  • Locality add-on +$7,719
  • Adjustment percent 26.30%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $38,152
  • DENVER GS-5 Step 10 $48,186

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 2019, the DENVER pay area adds a 26.30% 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 $1,426 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,853. 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-5 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-5 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in DENVER?
    In 2019, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $37,069 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $48,186. This is 26.30% 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 2019, it is 26.30%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,719 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 $1,426 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.