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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$27,657 GS-2 Step 1 in Des Moines (2023)
$34,806 GS-2 Step 10 in Des Moines (2023)
+$4,045 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-2 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-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $27,657 $1,063.73 $13.25 +$4,045
Step 2 $28,315 $1,089.04 $13.57 +$4,141
Step 3 $29,231 $1,124.27 $14.01 +$4,275
Step 4 $30,005 $1,154.04 $14.38 +$4,388
Step 5 $30,344 $1,167.08 $14.54 +$4,438
Step 6 $31,236 $1,201.38 $14.97 +$4,568
Step 7 $32,129 $1,235.73 $15.39 +$4,699
Step 8 $33,021 $1,270.04 $15.82 +$4,829
Step 9 $33,914 $1,304.38 $16.25 +$4,960
Step 10 $34,806 $1,338.69 $16.68 +$5,090
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Des Moines pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $23,612
  • Des Moines GS-2 Step 1 $27,657
  • Locality add-on +$4,045
  • Adjustment percent 17.13%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $29,716
  • Des Moines GS-2 Step 10 $34,806

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-2 in Des Moines: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2023, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in Des Moines

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,064 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,339. 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-2 Des Moines page.

Other grades in Des Moines

GS-2 in Des Moines questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in Des Moines?
    In 2023, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $27,657 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $34,806. This is 17.13% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 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-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,045 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in Des Moines?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,064 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.