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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,520 GS-4 Step 1 in DES MOINES (2021)
$40,974 GS-4 Step 10 in DES MOINES (2021)
+$4,336 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $31,520 $1,212.31 $15.10 +$4,336
Step 2 $32,570 $1,252.69 $15.61 +$4,480
Step 3 $33,621 $1,293.12 $16.11 +$4,625
Step 4 $34,671 $1,333.50 $16.61 +$4,769
Step 5 $35,722 $1,373.92 $17.12 +$4,914
Step 6 $36,772 $1,414.31 $17.62 +$5,058
Step 7 $37,823 $1,454.73 $18.12 +$5,203
Step 8 $38,873 $1,495.12 $18.63 +$5,347
Step 9 $39,924 $1,535.54 $19.13 +$5,492
Step 10 $40,974 $1,575.92 $19.63 +$5,636
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more DES MOINES pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $27,184
  • DES MOINES GS-4 Step 1 $31,520
  • Locality add-on +$4,336
  • Adjustment percent 15.95%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $35,338
  • DES MOINES GS-4 Step 10 $40,974

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-4 in DES MOINES: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2021, the DES MOINES pay area adds a 15.95% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in DES MOINES

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $1,212 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,576. 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-4 DES MOINES page.

Other grades in DES MOINES

GS-4 in DES MOINES questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in DES MOINES?
    In 2021, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns $31,520 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $40,974. This is 15.95% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,336 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in DES MOINES?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $1,212 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.