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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,099 GS-1 Step 1 in Denver (2023)
$33,905 GS-1 Step 10 in Denver (2023)
+$6,100 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-1 pay table for Denver

Each step below already includes the 29.05% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $27,099 $1,042.27 $12.98 +$6,100
Step 2 $28,009 $1,077.27 $13.42 +$6,305
Step 3 $28,908 $1,111.85 $13.85 +$6,507
Step 4 $29,807 $1,146.42 $14.28 +$6,710
Step 5 $30,706 $1,181.00 $14.71 +$6,912
Step 6 $31,233 $1,201.27 $14.97 +$7,031
Step 7 $32,124 $1,235.54 $15.39 +$7,231
Step 8 $33,023 $1,270.12 $15.82 +$7,434
Step 9 $33,059 $1,271.50 $15.84 +$7,442
Step 10 $33,905 $1,304.04 $16.25 +$7,632
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $20,999
  • Denver GS-1 Step 1 $27,099
  • Locality add-on +$6,100
  • Adjustment percent 29.05%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $26,273
  • Denver GS-1 Step 10 $33,905

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-1 in Denver: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2023, the Denver pay area adds a 29.05% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Denver

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $1,042 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,304. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Denver page.

Other grades in Denver

GS-1 in Denver questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Denver?
    In 2023, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $27,099 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $33,905. This is 29.05% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Denver?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Denver in 2023, it is 29.05%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,100 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Denver?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $1,042 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.