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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$99,029 GS-13 Step 1 in Des Moines (2023)
$128,735 GS-13 Step 10 in Des Moines (2023)
+$14,483 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $99,029 $3,808.81 $47.45 +$14,483
Step 2 $102,329 $3,935.73 $49.03 +$14,965
Step 3 $105,630 $4,062.69 $50.61 +$15,448
Step 4 $108,931 $4,189.65 $52.20 +$15,931
Step 5 $112,232 $4,316.62 $53.78 +$16,414
Step 6 $115,532 $4,443.54 $55.36 +$16,896
Step 7 $118,833 $4,570.50 $56.94 +$17,379
Step 8 $122,134 $4,697.46 $58.52 +$17,862
Step 9 $125,435 $4,824.42 $60.10 +$18,345
Step 10 $128,735 $4,951.35 $61.68 +$18,827
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Des Moines pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $84,546
  • Des Moines GS-13 Step 1 $99,029
  • Locality add-on +$14,483
  • Adjustment percent 17.13%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $109,908
  • Des Moines GS-13 Step 10 $128,735

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-13 in Des Moines: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2023, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in Des Moines

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $3,809 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,951. 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-13 Des Moines page.

Other grades in Des Moines

GS-13 in Des Moines questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Des Moines?
    In 2023, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $99,029 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $128,735. This is 17.13% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,483 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Des Moines?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $3,809 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.