An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$40,373 GS-6 Step 1 in Des Moines (2022)
$52,485 GS-6 Step 10 in Des Moines (2022)
+$5,724 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $40,373 $1,552.81 $19.34 +$5,724
Step 2 $41,719 $1,604.58 $19.99 +$5,915
Step 3 $43,065 $1,656.35 $20.63 +$6,106
Step 4 $44,410 $1,708.08 $21.28 +$6,296
Step 5 $45,756 $1,759.85 $21.92 +$6,487
Step 6 $47,102 $1,811.62 $22.57 +$6,678
Step 7 $48,448 $1,863.38 $23.21 +$6,869
Step 8 $49,794 $1,915.15 $23.86 +$7,060
Step 9 $51,139 $1,966.88 $24.50 +$7,250
Step 10 $52,485 $2,018.65 $25.15 +$7,441
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Des Moines pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $34,649
  • Des Moines GS-6 Step 1 $40,373
  • Locality add-on +$5,724
  • Adjustment percent 16.52%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $45,044
  • Des Moines GS-6 Step 10 $52,485

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-6 in Des Moines: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2022, the Des Moines pay area adds a 16.52% 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 $1,553 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,019. 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-6 Des Moines page.

Other grades in Des Moines

GS-6 in Des Moines questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Des Moines?
    In 2022, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $40,373 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $52,485. This is 16.52% 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 2022, it is 16.52%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,724 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 $1,553 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.