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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$63,271 GS-9 Step 1 in Denver (2023)
$82,249 GS-9 Step 10 in Denver (2023)
+$14,243 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $63,271 $2,433.50 $30.32 +$14,243
Step 2 $65,379 $2,514.58 $31.33 +$14,717
Step 3 $67,488 $2,595.69 $32.34 +$15,192
Step 4 $69,597 $2,676.81 $33.35 +$15,667
Step 5 $71,705 $2,757.88 $34.36 +$16,141
Step 6 $73,814 $2,839.00 $35.37 +$16,616
Step 7 $75,923 $2,920.12 $36.38 +$17,091
Step 8 $78,031 $3,001.19 $37.39 +$17,565
Step 9 $80,140 $3,082.31 $38.40 +$18,040
Step 10 $82,249 $3,163.42 $39.41 +$18,515

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $49,028
  • Denver GS-9 Step 1 $63,271
  • Locality add-on +$14,243
  • Adjustment percent 29.05%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $63,734
  • Denver GS-9 Step 10 $82,249

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 2023, the Denver pay area adds a 29.05% 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 $2,434 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,163. 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-9 Denver page.

Other grades in Denver

GS-9 in Denver questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Denver?
    In 2023, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $63,271 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $82,249. This is 29.05% 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 2023, it is 29.05%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,243 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 $2,434 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.