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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$104,038 GS-13 Step 1 in Denver (2022)
$135,247 GS-13 Step 10 in Denver (2022)
+$22,822 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-13 pay table for Denver

Each step below already includes the 28.10% 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 $104,038 $4,001.46 $49.85 +$22,822
Step 2 $107,505 $4,134.81 $51.51 +$23,582
Step 3 $110,973 $4,268.19 $53.17 +$24,343
Step 4 $114,441 $4,401.58 $54.84 +$25,104
Step 5 $117,908 $4,534.92 $56.50 +$25,864
Step 6 $121,376 $4,668.31 $58.16 +$26,625
Step 7 $124,844 $4,801.69 $59.82 +$27,386
Step 8 $128,311 $4,935.04 $61.48 +$28,146
Step 9 $131,779 $5,068.42 $63.14 +$28,907
Step 10 $135,247 $5,201.81 $64.80 +$29,668

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $81,216
  • Denver GS-13 Step 1 $104,038
  • Locality add-on +$22,822
  • Adjustment percent 28.10%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $105,579
  • Denver GS-13 Step 10 $135,247

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 2022, the Denver pay area adds a 28.10% 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 $4,001 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,202. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 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 2022, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $104,038 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $135,247. This is 28.10% 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 2022, it is 28.10%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,822 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 $4,001 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.