2023 GS-15 Pay in Denver
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 29.05% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $151,657 in Denver.
2023 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 | $151,657 | $5,832.96 | $72.67 | +$34,139 |
| Step 2 | $156,712 | $6,027.38 | $75.09 | +$35,277 |
| Step 3 | $161,767 | $6,221.81 | $77.51 | +$36,415 |
| Step 4 | $166,822 | $6,416.23 | $79.93 | +$37,553 |
| Step 5 | $171,877 | $6,610.65 | $82.36 | +$38,691 |
| Step 6 | $176,931 | $6,805.04 | $84.78 | +$39,828 |
| Step 7 | $181,986 | $6,999.46 | $87.20 | +$40,966 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $151,657 | $5,832.96 | $72.67 | +$34,139 |
| Step 2 | $156,712 | $6,027.38 | $75.09 | +$35,277 |
| Step 3 | $161,767 | $6,221.81 | $77.51 | +$36,415 |
| Step 4 | $166,822 | $6,416.23 | $79.93 | +$37,553 |
| Step 5 | $171,877 | $6,610.65 | $82.36 | +$38,691 |
| Step 6 | $176,931 | $6,805.04 | $84.78 | +$39,828 |
| Step 7 | $181,986 | $6,999.46 | $87.20 | +$40,966 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
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 2023, the Denver pay area adds a 29.05% 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 $5,833 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. 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-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 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $151,657 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 29.05% 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 2023, it is 29.05%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $34,139 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 $5,833 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.