GS Pay Calculator Denver, CO 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Denver-Aurora, CO locality area. Covers the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area including Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties.
Denver, CO Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$113,107
$4,350/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$134,500
$5,173/biweekly
Locality Rate
+30.52%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Denver, CO Locality Pay in Context
The Denver-Aurora, CO locality rate of 30.52% ranks #10 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is one of the highest-paying localities, reflecting a significantly higher cost of labor compared to the national average. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area including Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties.
Major federal employers in Denver, CO include VA, USGS, BLM, NPS, IRS, OPM, Buckley SFB. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Denver, CO but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Denver, CO GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Denver, CO locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $45,420 | $46,934 | $48,448 | $49,962 | $51,476 | $52,990 | $54,504 | $56,018 | $57,532 | $59,046 |
| GS-7 | $56,262 | $58,138 | $60,013 | $61,889 | $63,764 | $65,640 | $67,515 | $69,391 | $71,267 | $73,142 |
| GS-9 | $68,819 | $71,114 | $73,408 | $75,703 | $77,997 | $80,292 | $82,587 | $84,881 | $87,176 | $89,470 |
| GS-11 | $83,265 | $86,041 | $88,818 | $91,594 | $94,370 | $97,146 | $99,922 | $102,698 | $105,475 | $108,251 |
| GS-12 | $99,800 | $103,126 | $106,453 | $109,780 | $113,107 | $116,434 | $119,761 | $123,088 | $126,415 | $129,742 |
| GS-13 | $118,675 | $122,631 | $126,587 | $130,543 | $134,500 | $138,456 | $142,412 | $146,368 | $150,324 | $154,280 |
| GS-14 | $140,239 | $144,914 | $149,589 | $154,264 | $158,939 | $163,615 | $168,290 | $172,965 | $177,640 | $182,316 |
| GS-15 | $164,956 | $170,455 | $175,954 | $181,453 | $186,952 | $192,450 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Denver, CO Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Denver-Aurora, CO locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Denver-Aurora, COBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+30.52%)
$45,001
Total Annual
$192,450
Biweekly
$7,402
Hourly: $92.21
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 49 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
How Denver, CO Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Denver, CO +30.52% | Seattle, WA +31.57% | Minneapolis, MN +24.56% | Albuquerque, NM +17.63% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $99,800 | $100,602 +$802 | $95,242 -$4,558 | $89,943 -$9,857 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $113,107 | $114,017 +$910 | $107,942 -$5,165 | $101,937 -$11,170 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $134,500 | $135,582 +$1,082 | $128,358 -$6,142 | $121,217 -$13,283 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $193,267 -$3,933 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Denver, CO.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Seattle, WA earn $910 more per year than those in Denver, CO, while those in Albuquerque, NM earn $11,170 less.
Career Salary Growth in Denver, CO
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Denver, CO locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Denver, CO Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $56,262 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $68,819 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $83,265 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $106,453 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $134,500 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $182,316 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
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Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Denver, CO
How much does a GS-12 make in Denver, CO in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Denver-Aurora, CO locality area earns between $99,800 (Step 1) and $129,742 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 30.52% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Denver, CO?
The Denver, CO locality pay adjustment is 30.52% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.3052 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $113,107.
How does Denver, CO federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Denver, CO has a 30.52% locality rate. Nearby areas include Seattle, WA (31.57%), Minneapolis, MN (24.56%), Albuquerque, NM (17.63%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Denver, CO?
GS salaries in Denver, CO are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 30.52% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Which federal agencies have offices in Denver, CO?
Major federal employers in the Denver, CO area include VA, USGS, BLM, NPS, IRS, OPM, Buckley SFB. Covers the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area including Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Denver, CO area at 30.52% reflects the local cost of labor.