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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$69,480 GS-11 Step 1 in Des Moines (2023)
$90,321 GS-11 Step 10 in Des Moines (2023)
+$10,161 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-11 pay table for Des Moines

Each step below already includes the 17.13% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-11 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $69,480 $2,672.31 $33.29 +$10,161
Step 2 $71,796 $2,761.38 $34.40 +$10,500
Step 3 $74,112 $2,850.46 $35.51 +$10,839
Step 4 $76,427 $2,939.50 $36.62 +$11,177
Step 5 $78,743 $3,028.58 $37.73 +$11,516
Step 6 $81,059 $3,117.65 $38.84 +$11,855
Step 7 $83,374 $3,206.69 $39.95 +$12,193
Step 8 $85,690 $3,295.77 $41.06 +$12,532
Step 9 $88,006 $3,384.85 $42.17 +$12,871
Step 10 $90,321 $3,473.88 $43.28 +$13,209
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Des Moines pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $59,319
  • Des Moines GS-11 Step 1 $69,480
  • Locality add-on +$10,161
  • Adjustment percent 17.13%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $77,112
  • Des Moines GS-11 Step 10 $90,321

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-11 in Des Moines: what to expect

Full performance for most professional careers: budget analysts, program managers, engineers, IT specialists and criminal investigators.

For 2023, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-11 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level.

Promotion path. Typical career ladder peak for entry-level hires; competitive promotion to GS-12 requires vacancy and supervisory selection.

The rough military equivalent for GS-11 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-11 in Des Moines

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $2,672 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,474. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-11 Des Moines page.

Other grades in Des Moines

GS-11 in Des Moines questions

  • How much does a GS-11 make in Des Moines?
    In 2023, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $69,480 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $90,321. This is 17.13% higher than the base GS-11 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-11 in Des Moines?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Des Moines in 2023, it is 17.13%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,161 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-11 in Des Moines?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-11 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $2,672 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.