Federal Employee Take Home Pay in Denver 2026
Denver-Aurora, CO Locality Pay Area — how much GS employees actually bring home
GS Take Home Pay in Denver — 2026
Estimated net pay for selected grades and steps at the Denver-Aurora, CO locality rate (30.52%). All gross salary figures from OPM 2026 pay tables.
| Grade / Step | Annual Salary | Gross / PP | Est. Net / PP | Est. Net / Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 Administrative Assistant, Clerk, Technician | ||||
| Step 1 | $45,420 | $1,746.92 | $1,204.67 | $31,321 |
| Step 5 | $51,476 | $1,979.85 | $1,363.29 | $35,446 |
| Step 10 | $59,046 | $2,271.00 | $1,561.53 | $40,600 |
| GS-7 Recent Graduate, Entry-Level Professional | ||||
| Step 1 | $56,262 | $2,163.92 | $1,488.62 | $38,704 |
| Step 5 | $63,764 | $2,452.46 | $1,685.10 | $43,813 |
| Step 10 | $73,142 | $2,813.15 | $1,930.68 | $50,198 |
| GS-9 Mid-Level Professional, Analyst | ||||
| Step 1 | $68,819 | $2,646.88 | $1,817.48 | $47,254 |
| Step 5 | $77,997 | $2,999.88 | $2,054.46 | $53,416 |
| Step 10 | $89,470 | $3,441.15 | $2,314.93 | $60,188 |
| GS-11 Senior Analyst, Program Specialist | ||||
| Step 1 | $83,265 | $3,202.50 | $2,174.05 | $56,525 |
| Step 5 | $94,370 | $3,629.62 | $2,426.19 | $63,081 |
| Step 10 | $108,251 | $4,163.50 | $2,741.35 | $71,275 |
| GS-12 Senior Specialist, Team Lead | ||||
| Step 1 | $99,800 | $3,838.46 | $2,549.48 | $66,286 |
| Step 5 | $113,107 | $4,350.27 | $2,851.60 | $74,142 |
| Step 10 | $129,742 | $4,990.08 | $3,229.31 | $83,962 |
| GS-13 Supervisory, Senior Technical | ||||
| Step 1 | $118,675 | $4,564.42 | $2,978.03 | $77,429 |
| Step 5 | $134,500 | $5,173.08 | $3,337.32 | $86,770 |
| Step 10 | $154,280 | $5,933.85 | $3,775.12 | $98,153 |
| GS-14 Branch Chief, Senior Manager | ||||
| Step 1 | $140,239 | $5,393.81 | $3,466.09 | $90,118 |
| Step 5 | $158,939 | $6,113.04 | $3,877.64 | $100,819 |
| Step 10 | $182,316 | $7,012.15 | $4,392.12 | $114,195 |
| GS-15 Division Director, Senior Executive Staff | ||||
| Step 1 | $164,956 | $6,344.46 | $4,010.06 | $104,262 |
| Step 5 | $186,952 | $7,190.46 | $4,494.14 | $116,848 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $4,719.67 | $122,711 |
Denver vs Rest of U.S. — Net Pay Comparison
How Denver (30.52% locality) compares to Rest of U.S. (17.06% locality) at Step 5. RUS column uses no state tax for a fair base comparison.
| Grade | Denver Annual | Denver Net/PP | RUS Annual | RUS Net/PP | Net Difference/PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $51,476 | $1,363.29 | $46,167 | $1,262.22 | +$101.07 |
| GS-7 | $63,764 | $1,685.10 | $57,188 | $1,567.75 | +$117.35 |
| GS-9 | $77,997 | $2,054.46 | $69,954 | $1,921.66 | +$132.80 |
| GS-11 | $94,370 | $2,426.19 | $84,638 | $2,302.20 | +$123.99 |
| GS-12 | $113,107 | $2,851.60 | $101,443 | $2,709.52 | +$142.08 |
| GS-13 | $134,500 | $3,337.32 | $120,629 | $3,174.54 | +$162.78 |
| GS-14 | $158,939 | $3,877.64 | $142,549 | $3,702.70 | +$174.94 |
| GS-15 | $186,952 | $4,494.14 | $167,672 | $4,294.11 | +$200.03 |
Understanding Denver Locality Pay
Federal employees in the Denver-Aurora, CO locality pay area receive a 30.52% locality adjustment on top of the base GS pay table. This means a GS-12 Step 1 base salary of $76,463 becomes $99,800 with the locality adjustment.
Locality pay is authorized under 5 U.S.C. §5304 and is intended to reduce the gap between federal and private-sector pay in specific geographic areas. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. For 2026, locality percentages were frozen at 2025 levels, with a 1% across-the-board base pay increase applied.
Cost of Living Context
The Denver–Aurora locality area offers a 30.52% locality adjustment. Colorado has a flat income tax of 4.4%. The Denver metro area has seen significant cost-of-living increases in recent years, particularly in housing, but remains more affordable than West Coast metros. The federal presence in Denver is substantial, with the Denver Federal Center being one of the largest concentrations of federal agencies outside Washington.
Typical Federal Agencies
Denver Federal Center (GSA, USGS, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation), VA, NIST, NOAA.
State Tax: Colorado
Colorado has a flat income tax rate of 4.40%. Federal employees pay state income tax based on their state of residence, not their duty station. The net pay estimates on this page assume Colorado residency. Use the full calculator to select your actual state.
What Affects Your Take Home Pay in Denver
Your net pay is determined by a chain of deductions applied to your gross biweekly salary. Here is how each one works:
FERS Pension Contribution
You contribute 0.8% (FERS), 3.1% (FERS-RAE), or 4.4% (FERS-FRAE) of gross pay depending on your hire date. This is deducted pre-tax from federal taxable income but does NOT reduce FICA wages. Authority: 5 U.S.C. §8422.
TSP (Thrift Savings Plan)
Traditional TSP contributions are pre-tax, reducing your federal taxable income. Roth TSP contributions are after-tax and do NOT reduce taxable income. The government matches: 1% automatic + dollar-for-dollar on first 3% + 50¢ per dollar on next 2%. Contribute at least 5% to maximize the match. 2026 limit: $24,500. Authority: 5 U.S.C. §8432(c).
FEHB Health Insurance
Under Premium Conversion (the default), FEHB premiums reduce both federal taxable income AND FICA wages — this is different from FERS and TSP. Your premium depends on the plan you choose. Authority: 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89.
FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $184,500. Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ). FICA wages = Gross minus FEHB only. Authority: 26 U.S.C. §3101.
Federal Income Tax
2026 rates per the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21): 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%. Standard deduction: $16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ / $24,150 HoH. Source: IRS Rev Proc 2025-32.
State Income Tax
Colorado has a flat income tax rate of 4.40%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the locality pay percentage for Denver in 2026?
The Denver-Aurora, CO locality pay area has a 30.52% locality adjustment for 2026. This means federal employees in this area earn 30.52% more than the base GS pay table. Locality percentages were frozen at 2025 levels per Executive Order 14368, with a 1% across-the-board base pay increase applied.
How much does a GS-12 take home in Denver?
A GS-12 Step 5 in the Denver-Aurora, CO locality area earns $113,107 annually. After FERS (4.4%), TSP (5%), FEHB, Social Security, Medicare, federal tax, and state tax, estimated take-home pay is approximately $2,851.60 per pay period ($74,142 annually). Actual take-home varies based on your specific deductions and elections.
How does Denver federal pay compare to Rest of U.S.?
The Denver-Aurora, CO area has a 30.52% locality adjustment compared to 17.06% for Rest of U.S. For a GS-12 Step 5, this means $113,107 vs $101,443 annually — a difference of $11,664 in gross pay. Net pay differences are smaller due to higher taxes on higher income.
What state taxes apply to federal employees in Denver?
Colorado has a flat income tax rate of 4.40%. Federal employees pay state income tax based on their state of residence, not their duty station. FEHB premiums are deducted pre-tax under Premium Conversion, reducing both federal and FICA taxable wages.
What federal agencies are in Denver?
Major federal agencies and installations in the Denver area include: Denver Federal Center (GSA, USGS, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation), VA, NIST, NOAA. Federal employees at all these locations receive the 30.52% locality adjustment.