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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$58,006 GS-9 Step 1 in DENVER (2020)
$75,408 GS-9 Step 10 in DENVER (2020)
+$12,379 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $58,006 $2,231.00 $27.79 +$12,379
Step 2 $59,939 $2,305.35 $28.72 +$12,791
Step 3 $61,873 $2,379.73 $29.65 +$13,204
Step 4 $63,807 $2,454.12 $30.57 +$13,617
Step 5 $65,740 $2,528.46 $31.50 +$14,029
Step 6 $67,674 $2,602.85 $32.43 +$14,442
Step 7 $69,607 $2,677.19 $33.35 +$14,854
Step 8 $71,541 $2,751.58 $34.28 +$15,267
Step 9 $73,475 $2,825.96 $35.21 +$15,680
Step 10 $75,408 $2,900.31 $36.13 +$16,092

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $45,627
  • DENVER GS-9 Step 1 $58,006
  • Locality add-on +$12,379
  • Adjustment percent 27.13%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $59,316
  • DENVER GS-9 Step 10 $75,408

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-9 in DENVER: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2020, the DENVER pay area adds a 27.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 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-9 in DENVER

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $2,231 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,900. 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-9 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-9 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in DENVER?
    In 2020, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $58,006 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $75,408. This is 27.13% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,379 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in DENVER?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns roughly $2,231 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.