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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$101,028 GS-13 Step 1 in DENVER (2021)
$131,337 GS-13 Step 10 in DENVER (2021)
+$21,560 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $101,028 $3,885.69 $48.41 +$21,560
Step 2 $104,395 $4,015.19 $50.02 +$22,278
Step 3 $107,763 $4,144.73 $51.64 +$22,997
Step 4 $111,131 $4,274.27 $53.25 +$23,716
Step 5 $114,498 $4,403.77 $54.86 +$24,434
Step 6 $117,866 $4,533.31 $56.48 +$25,153
Step 7 $121,234 $4,662.85 $58.09 +$25,872
Step 8 $124,601 $4,792.35 $59.70 +$26,590
Step 9 $127,969 $4,921.88 $61.32 +$27,309
Step 10 $131,337 $5,051.42 $62.93 +$28,028

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $79,468
  • DENVER GS-13 Step 1 $101,028
  • Locality add-on +$21,560
  • Adjustment percent 27.13%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $103,309
  • DENVER GS-13 Step 10 $131,337

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 2021, 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 $3,886 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,051. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 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 2021, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $101,028 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $131,337. 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 2021, it is 27.13%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,560 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 $3,886 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.