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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$114,970 GS-13 Step 1 in Denver (2024)
$149,465 GS-13 Step 10 in Denver (2024)
+$26,450 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-13 pay table for Denver

Each step below already includes the 29.88% 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 $114,970 $4,421.92 $55.09 +$26,450
Step 2 $118,803 $4,569.35 $56.93 +$27,332
Step 3 $122,635 $4,716.73 $58.76 +$28,213
Step 4 $126,468 $4,864.15 $60.60 +$29,095
Step 5 $130,301 $5,011.58 $62.43 +$29,977
Step 6 $134,134 $5,159.00 $64.27 +$30,859
Step 7 $137,966 $5,306.38 $66.11 +$31,740
Step 8 $141,799 $5,453.81 $67.94 +$32,622
Step 9 $145,632 $5,601.23 $69.78 +$33,504
Step 10 $149,465 $5,748.65 $71.62 +$34,386

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $88,520
  • Denver GS-13 Step 1 $114,970
  • Locality add-on +$26,450
  • Adjustment percent 29.88%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $115,079
  • Denver GS-13 Step 10 $149,465

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 2024, the Denver pay area adds a 29.88% 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 $4,422 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,749. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 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 2024, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $114,970 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $149,465. This is 29.88% 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 2024, it is 29.88%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,450 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 $4,422 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.