2022 GS-15 Pay in Des Moines
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 16.52% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $131,539 in Des Moines.
2022 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 | $131,539 | $5,059.19 | $63.03 | +$18,649 |
| Step 2 | $135,924 | $5,227.85 | $65.13 | +$19,271 |
| Step 3 | $140,309 | $5,396.50 | $67.23 | +$19,893 |
| Step 4 | $144,693 | $5,565.12 | $69.33 | +$20,514 |
| Step 5 | $149,078 | $5,733.77 | $71.43 | +$21,136 |
| Step 6 | $153,463 | $5,902.42 | $73.53 | +$21,758 |
| Step 7 | $157,847 | $6,071.04 | $75.63 | +$22,379 |
| Step 8 | $162,232 | $6,239.69 | $77.73 | +$23,001 |
| Step 9 | $166,617 | $6,408.35 | $79.84 | +$23,623 |
| Step 10 | $171,001 | $6,576.96 | $81.94 | +$24,244 |
2022 GS-15 pay table for Des Moines
Each step below already includes the 16.52% 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 | $131,539 | $5,059.19 | $63.03 | +$18,649 |
| Step 2 | $135,924 | $5,227.85 | $65.13 | +$19,271 |
| Step 3 | $140,309 | $5,396.50 | $67.23 | +$19,893 |
| Step 4 | $144,693 | $5,565.12 | $69.33 | +$20,514 |
| Step 5 | $149,078 | $5,733.77 | $71.43 | +$21,136 |
| Step 6 | $153,463 | $5,902.42 | $73.53 | +$21,758 |
| Step 7 | $157,847 | $6,071.04 | $75.63 | +$22,379 |
| Step 8 | $162,232 | $6,239.69 | $77.73 | +$23,001 |
| Step 9 | $166,617 | $6,408.35 | $79.84 | +$23,623 |
| Step 10 | $171,001 | $6,576.96 | $81.94 | +$24,244 |
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 2022, the Des Moines pay area adds a 16.52% 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 $5,059 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,577. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2022 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 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $131,539 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $171,001. This is 16.52% 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 2022, it is 16.52%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,649 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 $5,059 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.