2022 GS-15 Pay in Denver
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 28.10% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $144,612 in Denver.
2022 GS-15 Pay in Denver
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Denver-Aurora, CO.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $144,612 | $5,562.00 | $69.29 | +$31,722 |
| Step 2 | $149,432 | $5,747.38 | $71.60 | +$32,779 |
| Step 3 | $154,253 | $5,932.81 | $73.91 | +$33,837 |
| Step 4 | $159,073 | $6,118.19 | $76.22 | +$34,894 |
| Step 5 | $163,894 | $6,303.62 | $78.53 | +$35,952 |
| Step 6 | $168,714 | $6,489.00 | $80.84 | +$37,009 |
| Step 7 | $173,535 | $6,674.42 | $83.15 | +$38,067 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
2022 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $144,612 | $5,562.00 | $69.29 | +$31,722 |
| Step 2 | $149,432 | $5,747.38 | $71.60 | +$32,779 |
| Step 3 | $154,253 | $5,932.81 | $73.91 | +$33,837 |
| Step 4 | $159,073 | $6,118.19 | $76.22 | +$34,894 |
| Step 5 | $163,894 | $6,303.62 | $78.53 | +$35,952 |
| Step 6 | $168,714 | $6,489.00 | $80.84 | +$37,009 |
| Step 7 | $173,535 | $6,674.42 | $83.15 | +$38,067 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Denver pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Denver: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2022, the Denver pay area adds a 28.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Denver
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $5,562 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. 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-15 Denver page.
Other grades in Denver
GS-15 in Denver questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Denver?
In 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $144,612 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 28.10% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $31,722 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Denver?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $5,562 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.