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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$60,362 GS-8 Step 1 in Denver (2024)
$78,468 GS-8 Step 10 in Denver (2024)
+$13,887 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $60,362 $2,321.62 $28.92 +$13,887
Step 2 $62,374 $2,399.00 $29.89 +$14,350
Step 3 $64,385 $2,476.35 $30.85 +$14,812
Step 4 $66,397 $2,553.73 $31.81 +$15,275
Step 5 $68,409 $2,631.12 $32.78 +$15,738
Step 6 $70,421 $2,708.50 $33.74 +$16,201
Step 7 $72,433 $2,785.88 $34.71 +$16,664
Step 8 $74,445 $2,863.27 $35.67 +$17,127
Step 9 $76,456 $2,940.62 $36.63 +$17,589
Step 10 $78,468 $3,018.00 $37.60 +$18,052

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Denver pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $46,475
  • Denver GS-8 Step 1 $60,362
  • Locality add-on +$13,887
  • Adjustment percent 29.88%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $60,416
  • Denver GS-8 Step 10 $78,468

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-8 in Denver: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2024, the Denver pay area adds a 29.88% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 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-8 in Denver

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $2,322 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,018. 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-8 Denver page.

Other grades in Denver

GS-8 in Denver questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in Denver?
    In 2024, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $60,362 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $78,468. This is 29.88% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,887 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in Denver?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $2,322 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.