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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$50,852 GS-8 Step 1 in DENVER (2019)
$66,107 GS-8 Step 10 in DENVER (2019)
+$10,589 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $50,852 $1,955.85 $24.37 +$10,589
Step 2 $52,547 $2,021.04 $25.18 +$10,942
Step 3 $54,242 $2,086.23 $25.99 +$11,295
Step 4 $55,937 $2,151.42 $26.80 +$11,648
Step 5 $57,632 $2,216.62 $27.61 +$12,001
Step 6 $59,327 $2,281.81 $28.43 +$12,354
Step 7 $61,022 $2,347.00 $29.24 +$12,707
Step 8 $62,717 $2,412.19 $30.05 +$13,060
Step 9 $64,412 $2,477.38 $30.86 +$13,413
Step 10 $66,107 $2,542.58 $31.68 +$13,766

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $40,263
  • DENVER GS-8 Step 1 $50,852
  • Locality add-on +$10,589
  • Adjustment percent 26.30%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $52,341
  • DENVER GS-8 Step 10 $66,107

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 2019, the DENVER pay area adds a 26.30% 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 $1,956 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,543. 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-8 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-8 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in DENVER?
    In 2019, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $50,852 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $66,107. This is 26.30% 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 2019, it is 26.30%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,589 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 $1,956 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.