2026 GS Pay Scale in Denver
Locality-adjusted federal General Schedule salaries for the Denver-Aurora, CO pay area. Base rates plus the 30.52% Denver locality adjustment, effective January 2026.
🏛️ Source: Base rates from U.S. OPM Salary Table 2026-GS; the 30.52% locality adjustment is the official 2026 rate for the Denver-Aurora, CO area. Public government record.
30.52%
Locality adjustment
$99,800
GS-12 Step 1 here
$118,675
GS-13 Step 1 here
$214,446
GS-15 Step 10 (top)
2026 GS pay table for Denver (Step 1, 5, 10)
Locality-adjusted salaries by grade. Every grade has 10 steps; entry, mid, and top shown.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $29,477 | $33,399 | $36,869 |
| GS-2 | $33,143 | $36,360 | $41,705 |
| GS-3 | $36,164 | $40,989 | $47,019 |
| GS-4 | $40,596 | $46,010 | $52,777 |
| GS-5 | $45,420 | $51,476 | $59,046 |
| GS-6 | $50,630 | $57,381 | $65,819 |
| GS-7 | $56,262 | $63,764 | $73,142 |
| GS-8 | $62,308 | $70,614 | $80,997 |
| GS-9 | $68,819 | $77,997 | $89,470 |
| GS-10 | $75,785 | $85,887 | $98,515 |
| GS-11 | $83,265 | $94,370 | $108,251 |
| GS-12 | $99,800 | $113,107 | $129,742 |
| GS-13 | $118,675 | $134,500 | $154,280 |
| GS-14 | $140,239 | $158,939 | $182,316 |
| GS-15 | $164,956 | $186,952 | $214,446 |
Take-home pay in Denver after taxes
Estimated take-home on the locality-adjusted salary (single filer, federal tax + Social Security + Medicare; CO state tax varies and is not included here):
| Grade / Step | Salary | Take-home (no state) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 Step 1 | $45,420 | ~$38,479 | ~$3,207 |
| GS-7 Step 1 | $56,262 | ~$47,191 | ~$3,933 |
| GS-9 Step 1 | $68,819 | ~$56,573 | ~$4,714 |
| GS-11 Step 1 | $83,265 | ~$66,736 | ~$5,561 |
| GS-12 Step 1 | $99,800 | ~$78,368 | ~$6,531 |
| GS-13 Step 1 | $118,675 | ~$91,576 | ~$7,631 |
Take-home excludes state/local income tax, FERS retirement, and TSP. Use our after-tax calculator for a full picture.
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