2024 GS-15 Pay in Denver
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 29.88% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $159,806 in Denver.
2024 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 | $159,806 | $6,146.38 | $76.57 | +$36,765 |
| Step 2 | $165,132 | $6,351.23 | $79.12 | +$37,990 |
| Step 3 | $170,458 | $6,556.08 | $81.68 | +$39,215 |
| Step 4 | $175,785 | $6,760.96 | $84.23 | +$40,441 |
| Step 5 | $181,111 | $6,965.81 | $86.78 | +$41,666 |
| Step 6 | $186,438 | $7,170.69 | $89.33 | +$42,892 |
| Step 7 | $191,764 | $7,375.54 | $91.89 | +$44,117 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
2024 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $159,806 | $6,146.38 | $76.57 | +$36,765 |
| Step 2 | $165,132 | $6,351.23 | $79.12 | +$37,990 |
| Step 3 | $170,458 | $6,556.08 | $81.68 | +$39,215 |
| Step 4 | $175,785 | $6,760.96 | $84.23 | +$40,441 |
| Step 5 | $181,111 | $6,965.81 | $86.78 | +$41,666 |
| Step 6 | $186,438 | $7,170.69 | $89.33 | +$42,892 |
| Step 7 | $191,764 | $7,375.54 | $91.89 | +$44,117 |
| Step 8 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$40,152 |
| Step 9 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$36,051 |
| Step 10 | $191,900 | $7,380.77 | $91.95 | +$31,950 |
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 2024, the Denver pay area adds a 29.88% 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 $6,146 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,381. 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-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 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $159,806 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,900. This is 29.88% 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 2024, it is 29.88%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $36,765 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 $6,146 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.