2021 GS-6 Pay in DES MOINES
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 15.95% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $33,903 on the base table to $39,311 in DES MOINES.
2021 GS-6 Pay in DES MOINES
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $39,311 | $1,511.96 | $18.84 | +$5,408 |
| Step 2 | $40,621 | $1,562.35 | $19.46 | +$5,588 |
| Step 3 | $41,931 | $1,612.73 | $20.09 | +$5,768 |
| Step 4 | $43,241 | $1,663.12 | $20.72 | +$5,948 |
| Step 5 | $44,551 | $1,713.50 | $21.35 | +$6,128 |
| Step 6 | $45,862 | $1,763.92 | $21.98 | +$6,309 |
| Step 7 | $47,172 | $1,814.31 | $22.60 | +$6,489 |
| Step 8 | $48,482 | $1,864.69 | $23.23 | +$6,669 |
| Step 9 | $49,792 | $1,915.08 | $23.86 | +$6,849 |
| Step 10 | $51,103 | $1,965.50 | $24.49 | +$7,030 |
2021 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $39,311 | $1,511.96 | $18.84 | +$5,408 |
| Step 2 | $40,621 | $1,562.35 | $19.46 | +$5,588 |
| Step 3 | $41,931 | $1,612.73 | $20.09 | +$5,768 |
| Step 4 | $43,241 | $1,663.12 | $20.72 | +$5,948 |
| Step 5 | $44,551 | $1,713.50 | $21.35 | +$6,128 |
| Step 6 | $45,862 | $1,763.92 | $21.98 | +$6,309 |
| Step 7 | $47,172 | $1,814.31 | $22.60 | +$6,489 |
| Step 8 | $48,482 | $1,864.69 | $23.23 | +$6,669 |
| Step 9 | $49,792 | $1,915.08 | $23.86 | +$6,849 |
| Step 10 | $51,103 | $1,965.50 | $24.49 | +$7,030 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more DES MOINES pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in DES MOINES: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2021, the DES MOINES pay area adds a 15.95% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.
Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in DES MOINES
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $1,512 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,966. 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-6 DES MOINES page.
Other grades in DES MOINES
GS-6 in DES MOINES questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in DES MOINES?
In 2021, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns $39,311 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $51,103. This is 15.95% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,408 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in DES MOINES?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in DES MOINES earns roughly $1,512 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.