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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$25,873 GS-1 Step 1 in Des Moines (2024)
$32,364 GS-1 Step 10 in Des Moines (2024)
+$3,887 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-1 pay table for Des Moines

Each step below already includes the 17.68% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $25,873 $995.12 $12.40 +$3,887
Step 2 $26,742 $1,028.54 $12.81 +$4,018
Step 3 $27,601 $1,061.58 $13.23 +$4,147
Step 4 $28,459 $1,094.58 $13.64 +$4,276
Step 5 $29,316 $1,127.54 $14.05 +$4,404
Step 6 $29,819 $1,146.88 $14.29 +$4,480
Step 7 $30,671 $1,179.65 $14.70 +$4,608
Step 8 $31,529 $1,212.65 $15.11 +$4,737
Step 9 $31,563 $1,213.96 $15.12 +$4,742
Step 10 $32,364 $1,244.77 $15.51 +$4,862
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Des Moines pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $21,986
  • Des Moines GS-1 Step 1 $25,873
  • Locality add-on +$3,887
  • Adjustment percent 17.68%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $27,502
  • Des Moines GS-1 Step 10 $32,364

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-1 in Des Moines: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2024, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.68% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in Des Moines

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $995 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,245. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 Des Moines page.

Other grades in Des Moines

GS-1 in Des Moines questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in Des Moines?
    In 2024, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $25,873 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $32,364. This is 17.68% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in Des Moines?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Des Moines in 2024, it is 17.68%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $3,887 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in Des Moines?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $995 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.