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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$60,331 GS-9 Step 1 in Denver (2022)
$78,432 GS-9 Step 10 in Denver (2022)
+$13,234 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $60,331 $2,320.42 $28.91 +$13,234
Step 2 $62,342 $2,397.77 $29.87 +$13,675
Step 3 $64,354 $2,475.15 $30.84 +$14,117
Step 4 $66,365 $2,552.50 $31.80 +$14,558
Step 5 $68,376 $2,629.85 $32.76 +$14,999
Step 6 $70,387 $2,707.19 $33.73 +$15,440
Step 7 $72,398 $2,784.54 $34.69 +$15,881
Step 8 $74,409 $2,861.88 $35.65 +$16,322
Step 9 $76,421 $2,939.27 $36.62 +$16,764
Step 10 $78,432 $3,016.62 $37.58 +$17,205

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $47,097
  • Denver GS-9 Step 1 $60,331
  • Locality add-on +$13,234
  • Adjustment percent 28.10%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $61,227
  • Denver GS-9 Step 10 $78,432

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 2022, the Denver pay area adds a 28.10% 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 $2,320 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,017. 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-9 Denver page.

Other grades in Denver

GS-9 in Denver questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Denver?
    In 2022, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $60,331 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $78,432. This is 28.10% 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 2022, it is 28.10%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,234 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 $2,320 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.