2026 GS-12 Pay in Colorado Springs
GS-12 employees with a duty station in Colorado Springs, CO earn 20.15% on top of the base GS-12 pay scale. That means a GS-12 Step 1 salary jumps from $76,463 on the base table to $91,870 in Colorado Springs.
2026 GS-12 Pay in Colorado Springs
Locality-adjusted GS-12 rates for Colorado Springs, CO.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $91,870 | $3,533.46 | $44.02 | +$15,407 |
| Step 2 | $94,933 | $3,651.27 | $45.49 | +$15,921 |
| Step 3 | $97,996 | $3,769.08 | $46.96 | +$16,435 |
| Step 4 | $101,058 | $3,886.85 | $48.42 | +$16,948 |
| Step 5 | $104,121 | $4,004.65 | $49.89 | +$17,462 |
| Step 6 | $107,183 | $4,122.42 | $51.36 | +$17,975 |
| Step 7 | $110,246 | $4,240.23 | $52.83 | +$18,489 |
| Step 8 | $113,309 | $4,358.04 | $54.29 | +$19,003 |
| Step 9 | $116,371 | $4,475.81 | $55.76 | +$19,516 |
| Step 10 | $119,434 | $4,593.62 | $57.23 | +$20,030 |
2026 GS-12 pay table for Colorado Springs
Each step below already includes the 20.15% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $91,870 | $3,533.46 | $44.02 | +$15,407 |
| Step 2 | $94,933 | $3,651.27 | $45.49 | +$15,921 |
| Step 3 | $97,996 | $3,769.08 | $46.96 | +$16,435 |
| Step 4 | $101,058 | $3,886.85 | $48.42 | +$16,948 |
| Step 5 | $104,121 | $4,004.65 | $49.89 | +$17,462 |
| Step 6 | $107,183 | $4,122.42 | $51.36 | +$17,975 |
| Step 7 | $110,246 | $4,240.23 | $52.83 | +$18,489 |
| Step 8 | $113,309 | $4,358.04 | $54.29 | +$19,003 |
| Step 9 | $116,371 | $4,475.81 | $55.76 | +$19,516 |
| Step 10 | $119,434 | $4,593.62 | $57.23 | +$20,030 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Colorado Springs pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-12 in Colorado Springs: what to expect
Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.
For 2026, the Colorado Springs pay area adds a 20.15% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.
Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.
The rough military equivalent for GS-12 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-12 in Colorado Springs
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Colorado Springs earns roughly $3,533 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,594. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Colorado Springs
GS-12 in Colorado Springs questions
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How much does a GS-12 make in Colorado Springs?
In 2026, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Colorado Springs earns $91,870 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $119,434. This is 20.15% higher than the base GS-12 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Colorado Springs?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Colorado Springs in 2026, it is 20.15%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,407 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Colorado Springs?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Colorado Springs earns roughly $3,533 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.