GS-15 Pay — Denver-Aurora (2026)
This page shows GS-15 pay in the Denver-Aurora locality pay area for 2026. The Denver-Aurora area adds 30.52% in locality pay on top of the GS-15 base rate.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Bi-weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $164,956 | $79.04 | $6,323.20 |
| Step 2 | $170,455 | $81.67 | $6,533.60 |
| Step 3 | $175,954 | $84.31 | $6,744.80 |
| Step 4 | $181,453 | $86.94 | $6,955.20 |
| Step 5 | $186,952 | $89.58 | $7,166.40 |
| Step 6 | $192,450 | $92.21 | $7,376.80 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 * | $94.49 | $7,559.20 |
* Capped at Level IV of the Executive Schedule ($197,200 in 2026) — GS locality-adjusted pay cannot exceed the EX-IV cap (5 U.S.C. §5304(g)(1)).
Locality pay is calculated as the base rate multiplied by one plus the locality percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Check another grade, step or locality
| Base pay (before locality) | $143,236 |
| Denver-Aurora, CO locality | 30.52% |
| Adjusted annual | $186,952 |
| Per month | $15,579 |
| Bi-weekly | $7,166.40 |
| Hourly | $89.58 |
Adjusted = base × (1 + locality %), rounded to the nearest dollar. Hourly = annual ÷ 2087; bi-weekly = hourly × 80.
Related pay tables
- Full Denver-Aurora GS scale
- GS-15 in every locality
- GS-14 in Denver-Aurora
- GS-15 in Rest of U.S.
- GS-15 in Washington-Baltimore
- GS-15 in New York-Newark
Frequently asked questions
How much does GS-15 make in Denver-Aurora?
For 2026, GS-15 in Denver-Aurora ranges from $164,956 at the first step to $197,200 at the top step, with $186,952 near the middle.
How is Denver-Aurora locality pay calculated?
The GS-15 base rate is multiplied by one plus the Denver-Aurora locality percentage of 30.52%, then rounded to the nearest dollar.
What is the 2026 raise?
For 2026, the across-the-board base rate rose while locality percentages were held at their prior-year levels, so the Denver-Aurora rate remained 30.52%.
Is this before or after tax?
The GS-15 figures for Denver-Aurora are gross 2026 amounts, before tax and withholding.
Source: OPM Salary Table 2026-DEN · effective January 11, 2026 · Denver-Aurora, CO, 30.52% locality. Rates current as of July 20, 2026. Reference figures for general information — official pay is set by your agency, DFAS or OPM. See methodology.