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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$54,623 GS-8 Step 1 in Denver (2022)
$71,006 GS-8 Step 10 in Denver (2022)
+$11,982 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $54,623 $2,100.88 $26.17 +$11,982
Step 2 $56,443 $2,170.88 $27.05 +$12,381
Step 3 $58,264 $2,240.92 $27.92 +$12,781
Step 4 $60,084 $2,310.92 $28.79 +$13,180
Step 5 $61,904 $2,380.92 $29.66 +$13,579
Step 6 $63,725 $2,450.96 $30.53 +$13,979
Step 7 $65,545 $2,520.96 $31.41 +$14,378
Step 8 $67,365 $2,590.96 $32.28 +$14,777
Step 9 $69,186 $2,661.00 $33.15 +$15,177
Step 10 $71,006 $2,731.00 $34.02 +$15,576

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $42,641
  • Denver GS-8 Step 1 $54,623
  • Locality add-on +$11,982
  • Adjustment percent 28.10%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $55,430
  • Denver GS-8 Step 10 $71,006

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-8 in Denver: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2022, the Denver pay area adds a 28.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 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-8 in Denver

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $2,101 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,731. 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-8 Denver page.

Other grades in Denver

GS-8 in Denver questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Denver?
    In 2022, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $54,623 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $71,006. This is 28.10% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,982 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Denver?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $2,101 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.