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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,875 GS-4 Step 1 in Des Moines (2023)
$44,037 GS-4 Step 10 in Des Moines (2023)
+$4,954 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,875 $1,302.88 $16.23 +$4,954
Step 2 $35,004 $1,346.31 $16.77 +$5,119
Step 3 $36,133 $1,389.73 $17.31 +$5,284
Step 4 $37,263 $1,433.19 $17.85 +$5,450
Step 5 $38,392 $1,476.62 $18.40 +$5,615
Step 6 $39,521 $1,520.04 $18.94 +$5,780
Step 7 $40,650 $1,563.46 $19.48 +$5,945
Step 8 $41,779 $1,606.88 $20.02 +$6,110
Step 9 $42,908 $1,650.31 $20.56 +$6,275
Step 10 $44,037 $1,693.73 $21.10 +$6,440
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Des Moines pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $28,921
  • Des Moines GS-4 Step 1 $33,875
  • Locality add-on +$4,954
  • Adjustment percent 17.13%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $37,597
  • Des Moines GS-4 Step 10 $44,037

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-4 in Des Moines: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2023, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in Des Moines

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,303 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,694. 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-4 Des Moines page.

Other grades in Des Moines

GS-4 in Des Moines questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in Des Moines?
    In 2023, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $33,875 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,037. This is 17.13% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,954 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Des Moines?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,303 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.