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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$109,107 GS-13 Step 1 in Denver (2023)
$141,836 GS-13 Step 10 in Denver (2023)
+$24,561 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $109,107 $4,196.42 $52.28 +$24,561
Step 2 $112,743 $4,336.27 $54.02 +$25,379
Step 3 $116,380 $4,476.15 $55.76 +$26,198
Step 4 $120,017 $4,616.04 $57.51 +$27,017
Step 5 $123,653 $4,755.88 $59.25 +$27,835
Step 6 $127,290 $4,895.77 $60.99 +$28,654
Step 7 $130,926 $5,035.62 $62.73 +$29,472
Step 8 $134,563 $5,175.50 $64.48 +$30,291
Step 9 $138,200 $5,315.38 $66.22 +$31,110
Step 10 $141,836 $5,455.23 $67.96 +$31,928

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $84,546
  • Denver GS-13 Step 1 $109,107
  • Locality add-on +$24,561
  • Adjustment percent 29.05%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $109,908
  • Denver GS-13 Step 10 $141,836

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 2023, the Denver pay area adds a 29.05% 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 $4,196 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,455. 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-13 Denver page.

Other grades in Denver

GS-13 in Denver questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Denver?
    In 2023, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $109,107 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $141,836. This is 29.05% 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 2023, it is 29.05%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $24,561 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 $4,196 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.