2023 GS-6 Pay in Des Moines
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 17.13% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $36,070 on the base table to $42,249 in Des Moines.
2023 GS-6 Pay in Des Moines
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $42,249 | $1,624.96 | $20.24 | +$6,179 |
| Step 2 | $43,657 | $1,679.12 | $20.92 | +$6,385 |
| Step 3 | $45,065 | $1,733.27 | $21.59 | +$6,591 |
| Step 4 | $46,472 | $1,787.38 | $22.27 | +$6,796 |
| Step 5 | $47,880 | $1,841.54 | $22.94 | +$7,002 |
| Step 6 | $49,288 | $1,895.69 | $23.62 | +$7,208 |
| Step 7 | $50,696 | $1,949.85 | $24.29 | +$7,414 |
| Step 8 | $52,104 | $2,004.00 | $24.97 | +$7,620 |
| Step 9 | $53,512 | $2,058.15 | $25.64 | +$7,826 |
| Step 10 | $54,920 | $2,112.31 | $26.32 | +$8,032 |
2023 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $42,249 | $1,624.96 | $20.24 | +$6,179 |
| Step 2 | $43,657 | $1,679.12 | $20.92 | +$6,385 |
| Step 3 | $45,065 | $1,733.27 | $21.59 | +$6,591 |
| Step 4 | $46,472 | $1,787.38 | $22.27 | +$6,796 |
| Step 5 | $47,880 | $1,841.54 | $22.94 | +$7,002 |
| Step 6 | $49,288 | $1,895.69 | $23.62 | +$7,208 |
| Step 7 | $50,696 | $1,949.85 | $24.29 | +$7,414 |
| Step 8 | $52,104 | $2,004.00 | $24.97 | +$7,620 |
| Step 9 | $53,512 | $2,058.15 | $25.64 | +$7,826 |
| Step 10 | $54,920 | $2,112.31 | $26.32 | +$8,032 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Des Moines pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Des Moines: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2023, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.13% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.
Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Des Moines
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,625 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,112. 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-6 Des Moines page.
Other grades in Des Moines
GS-6 in Des Moines questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Des Moines?
In 2023, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $42,249 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,920. This is 17.13% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,179 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Des Moines?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,625 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.