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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$92,143 GS-13 Step 1 in DES MOINES (2021)
$119,787 GS-13 Step 10 in DES MOINES (2021)
+$12,675 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-13 pay table for DES MOINES

Each step below already includes the 15.95% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $92,143 $3,543.96 $44.15 +$12,675
Step 2 $95,215 $3,662.12 $45.62 +$13,098
Step 3 $98,286 $3,780.23 $47.09 +$13,520
Step 4 $101,358 $3,898.38 $48.57 +$13,943
Step 5 $104,429 $4,016.50 $50.04 +$14,365
Step 6 $107,501 $4,134.65 $51.51 +$14,788
Step 7 $110,572 $4,252.77 $52.98 +$15,210
Step 8 $113,644 $4,370.92 $54.45 +$15,633
Step 9 $116,715 $4,489.04 $55.92 +$16,055
Step 10 $119,787 $4,607.19 $57.40 +$16,478
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DES MOINES pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $79,468
  • DES MOINES GS-13 Step 1 $92,143
  • Locality add-on +$12,675
  • Adjustment percent 15.95%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $103,309
  • DES MOINES GS-13 Step 10 $119,787

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-13 in DES MOINES: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2021, the DES MOINES pay area adds a 15.95% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in DES MOINES

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $3,544 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,607. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-13 DES MOINES page.

Other grades in DES MOINES

GS-13 in DES MOINES questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in DES MOINES?
    In 2021, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns $92,143 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $119,787. This is 15.95% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in DES MOINES?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For DES MOINES in 2021, it is 15.95%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,675 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in DES MOINES?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $3,544 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.