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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$100,027 GS-13 Step 1 in DENVER (2020)
$130,039 GS-13 Step 10 in DENVER (2020)
+$21,346 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-13 pay table for DENVER

Each step below already includes the 27.13% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $100,027 $3,847.19 $47.93 +$21,346
Step 2 $103,362 $3,975.46 $49.53 +$22,058
Step 3 $106,696 $4,103.69 $51.12 +$22,769
Step 4 $110,031 $4,231.96 $52.72 +$23,481
Step 5 $113,366 $4,360.23 $54.32 +$24,193
Step 6 $116,700 $4,488.46 $55.92 +$24,904
Step 7 $120,035 $4,616.73 $57.52 +$25,616
Step 8 $123,369 $4,744.96 $59.11 +$26,327
Step 9 $126,704 $4,873.23 $60.71 +$27,039
Step 10 $130,039 $5,001.50 $62.31 +$27,751

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $78,681
  • DENVER GS-13 Step 1 $100,027
  • Locality add-on +$21,346
  • Adjustment percent 27.13%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $102,288
  • DENVER GS-13 Step 10 $130,039

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-13 in DENVER: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2020, the DENVER pay area adds a 27.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $3,847 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,002. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-13 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-13 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in DENVER?
    In 2020, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $100,027 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $130,039. This is 27.13% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in DENVER?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DENVER in 2020, it is 27.13%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,346 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $3,847 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.