2025 GS-15 Pay in Denver
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 30.52% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $125,133 on the base table to $163,324 in Denver.
2025 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 | $163,324 | $6,281.69 | $78.26 | +$38,191 |
| Step 2 | $168,768 | $6,491.08 | $80.87 | +$39,464 |
| Step 3 | $174,212 | $6,700.46 | $83.47 | +$40,737 |
| Step 4 | $179,656 | $6,909.85 | $86.08 | +$42,010 |
| Step 5 | $185,100 | $7,119.23 | $88.69 | +$43,283 |
| Step 6 | $190,544 | $7,328.62 | $91.30 | +$44,556 |
| Step 7 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$45,041 |
| Step 8 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$40,870 |
| Step 9 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$36,699 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Denver
Each step below already includes the 30.52% 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 | $163,324 | $6,281.69 | $78.26 | +$38,191 |
| Step 2 | $168,768 | $6,491.08 | $80.87 | +$39,464 |
| Step 3 | $174,212 | $6,700.46 | $83.47 | +$40,737 |
| Step 4 | $179,656 | $6,909.85 | $86.08 | +$42,010 |
| Step 5 | $185,100 | $7,119.23 | $88.69 | +$43,283 |
| Step 6 | $190,544 | $7,328.62 | $91.30 | +$44,556 |
| Step 7 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$45,041 |
| Step 8 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$40,870 |
| Step 9 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$36,699 |
| Step 10 | $195,200 | $7,507.69 | $93.53 | +$32,528 |
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 2025, the Denver pay area adds a 30.52% 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 $6,282 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,508. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2025 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 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $163,324 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $195,200. This is 30.52% 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 2025, it is 30.52%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $38,191 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 $6,282 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.