2023 GS-15 Pay in Des Moines
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 17.13% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $137,649 in Des Moines.
2023 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 | $137,649 | $5,294.19 | $65.96 | +$20,131 |
| Step 2 | $142,237 | $5,470.65 | $68.15 | +$20,802 |
| Step 3 | $146,825 | $5,647.12 | $70.35 | +$21,473 |
| Step 4 | $151,413 | $5,823.58 | $72.55 | +$22,144 |
| Step 5 | $156,001 | $6,000.04 | $74.75 | +$22,815 |
| Step 6 | $160,589 | $6,176.50 | $76.95 | +$23,486 |
| Step 7 | $165,177 | $6,352.96 | $79.15 | +$24,157 |
| Step 8 | $169,765 | $6,529.42 | $81.34 | +$24,828 |
| Step 9 | $174,353 | $6,705.88 | $83.54 | +$25,499 |
| Step 10 | $178,941 | $6,882.35 | $85.74 | +$26,170 |
2023 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $137,649 | $5,294.19 | $65.96 | +$20,131 |
| Step 2 | $142,237 | $5,470.65 | $68.15 | +$20,802 |
| Step 3 | $146,825 | $5,647.12 | $70.35 | +$21,473 |
| Step 4 | $151,413 | $5,823.58 | $72.55 | +$22,144 |
| Step 5 | $156,001 | $6,000.04 | $74.75 | +$22,815 |
| Step 6 | $160,589 | $6,176.50 | $76.95 | +$23,486 |
| Step 7 | $165,177 | $6,352.96 | $79.15 | +$24,157 |
| Step 8 | $169,765 | $6,529.42 | $81.34 | +$24,828 |
| Step 9 | $174,353 | $6,705.88 | $83.54 | +$25,499 |
| Step 10 | $178,941 | $6,882.35 | $85.74 | +$26,170 |
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 2023, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.13% 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 $5,294 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,882. 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-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 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $137,649 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $178,941. This is 17.13% 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 2023, it is 17.13%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,131 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 $5,294 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.