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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$58,585 GS-9 Step 1 in DENVER (2021)
$76,160 GS-9 Step 10 in DENVER (2021)
+$12,502 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $58,585 $2,253.27 $28.07 +$12,502
Step 2 $60,538 $2,328.38 $29.01 +$12,919
Step 3 $62,491 $2,403.50 $29.94 +$13,336
Step 4 $64,443 $2,478.58 $30.88 +$13,752
Step 5 $66,396 $2,553.69 $31.81 +$14,169
Step 6 $68,349 $2,628.81 $32.75 +$14,586
Step 7 $70,302 $2,703.92 $33.69 +$15,003
Step 8 $72,254 $2,779.00 $34.62 +$15,419
Step 9 $74,207 $2,854.12 $35.56 +$15,836
Step 10 $76,160 $2,929.23 $36.49 +$16,253

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DENVER pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $46,083
  • DENVER GS-9 Step 1 $58,585
  • Locality add-on +$12,502
  • Adjustment percent 27.13%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $59,907
  • DENVER GS-9 Step 10 $76,160

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 2021, 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 $2,253 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,929. 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-9 DENVER page.

Other grades in DENVER

GS-9 in DENVER questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in DENVER?
    In 2021, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in DENVER earns $58,585 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $76,160. 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 2021, it is 27.13%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,502 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 $2,253 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.