2021 GS-15 Pay in DES MOINES
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 15.95% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $110,460 on the base table to $128,078 in DES MOINES.
2021 GS-15 Pay in DES MOINES
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $128,078 | $4,926.08 | $61.37 | +$17,618 |
| Step 2 | $132,348 | $5,090.31 | $63.42 | +$18,206 |
| Step 3 | $136,617 | $5,254.50 | $65.46 | +$18,793 |
| Step 4 | $140,886 | $5,418.69 | $67.51 | +$19,380 |
| Step 5 | $145,155 | $5,582.88 | $69.55 | +$19,967 |
| Step 6 | $149,425 | $5,747.12 | $71.60 | +$20,555 |
| Step 7 | $153,694 | $5,911.31 | $73.64 | +$21,142 |
| Step 8 | $157,963 | $6,075.50 | $75.69 | +$21,729 |
| Step 9 | $162,233 | $6,239.73 | $77.74 | +$22,317 |
| Step 10 | $166,502 | $6,403.92 | $79.78 | +$22,904 |
2021 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $128,078 | $4,926.08 | $61.37 | +$17,618 |
| Step 2 | $132,348 | $5,090.31 | $63.42 | +$18,206 |
| Step 3 | $136,617 | $5,254.50 | $65.46 | +$18,793 |
| Step 4 | $140,886 | $5,418.69 | $67.51 | +$19,380 |
| Step 5 | $145,155 | $5,582.88 | $69.55 | +$19,967 |
| Step 6 | $149,425 | $5,747.12 | $71.60 | +$20,555 |
| Step 7 | $153,694 | $5,911.31 | $73.64 | +$21,142 |
| Step 8 | $157,963 | $6,075.50 | $75.69 | +$21,729 |
| Step 9 | $162,233 | $6,239.73 | $77.74 | +$22,317 |
| Step 10 | $166,502 | $6,403.92 | $79.78 | +$22,904 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more DES MOINES pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in DES MOINES: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2021, the DES MOINES pay area adds a 15.95% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in DES MOINES
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $4,926 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. 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-15 DES MOINES page.
Other grades in DES MOINES
GS-15 in DES MOINES questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in DES MOINES?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns $128,078 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,502. This is 15.95% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,618 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in DES MOINES?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $4,926 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.