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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$52,517 GS-8 Step 1 in DENVER (2020)
$68,273 GS-8 Step 10 in DENVER (2020)
+$11,207 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $52,517 $2,019.88 $25.16 +$11,207
Step 2 $54,268 $2,087.23 $26.00 +$11,581
Step 3 $56,019 $2,154.58 $26.84 +$11,955
Step 4 $57,769 $2,221.88 $27.68 +$12,328
Step 5 $59,520 $2,289.23 $28.52 +$12,702
Step 6 $61,270 $2,356.54 $29.36 +$13,075
Step 7 $63,021 $2,423.88 $30.20 +$13,449
Step 8 $64,771 $2,491.19 $31.04 +$13,822
Step 9 $66,522 $2,558.54 $31.87 +$14,196
Step 10 $68,273 $2,625.88 $32.71 +$14,570

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $41,310
  • DENVER GS-8 Step 1 $52,517
  • Locality add-on +$11,207
  • Adjustment percent 27.13%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $53,703
  • DENVER GS-8 Step 10 $68,273

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 2020, the DENVER pay area adds a 27.13% 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 $2,020 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,626. 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-8 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-8 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in DENVER?
    In 2020, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $52,517 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $68,273. This is 27.13% 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 2020, it is 27.13%. On a GS-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,207 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 $2,020 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.