2026 GS-6 Pay in Denver
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 30.52% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $38,791 on the base table to $50,630 in Denver.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Denver
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Denver-Aurora, CO.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $50,630 | $1,947.31 | $24.26 | +$11,839 |
| Step 2 | $52,318 | $2,012.23 | $25.07 | +$12,234 |
| Step 3 | $54,005 | $2,077.12 | $25.88 | +$12,628 |
| Step 4 | $55,693 | $2,142.04 | $26.69 | +$13,023 |
| Step 5 | $57,381 | $2,206.96 | $27.49 | +$13,418 |
| Step 6 | $59,068 | $2,271.85 | $28.30 | +$13,812 |
| Step 7 | $60,756 | $2,336.77 | $29.11 | +$14,207 |
| Step 8 | $62,443 | $2,401.65 | $29.92 | +$14,601 |
| Step 9 | $64,131 | $2,466.58 | $30.73 | +$14,996 |
| Step 10 | $65,819 | $2,531.50 | $31.54 | +$15,391 |
2026 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $50,630 | $1,947.31 | $24.26 | +$11,839 |
| Step 2 | $52,318 | $2,012.23 | $25.07 | +$12,234 |
| Step 3 | $54,005 | $2,077.12 | $25.88 | +$12,628 |
| Step 4 | $55,693 | $2,142.04 | $26.69 | +$13,023 |
| Step 5 | $57,381 | $2,206.96 | $27.49 | +$13,418 |
| Step 6 | $59,068 | $2,271.85 | $28.30 | +$13,812 |
| Step 7 | $60,756 | $2,336.77 | $29.11 | +$14,207 |
| Step 8 | $62,443 | $2,401.65 | $29.92 | +$14,601 |
| Step 9 | $64,131 | $2,466.58 | $30.73 | +$14,996 |
| Step 10 | $65,819 | $2,531.50 | $31.54 | +$15,391 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Denver pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Denver: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Denver pay area adds a 30.52% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.
Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Denver
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $1,947 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,532. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Denver
GS-6 in Denver questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Denver?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $50,630 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $65,819. This is 30.52% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 in Denver?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Denver in 2026, it is 30.52%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,839 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Denver?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $1,947 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.