2024 GS-15 Pay in Des Moines
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 17.68% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $144,795 in Des Moines.
2024 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 | $144,795 | $5,569.04 | $69.38 | +$21,754 |
| Step 2 | $149,621 | $5,754.65 | $71.69 | +$22,479 |
| Step 3 | $154,447 | $5,940.27 | $74.00 | +$23,204 |
| Step 4 | $159,273 | $6,125.88 | $76.32 | +$23,929 |
| Step 5 | $164,099 | $6,311.50 | $78.63 | +$24,654 |
| Step 6 | $168,925 | $6,497.12 | $80.94 | +$25,379 |
| Step 7 | $173,751 | $6,682.73 | $83.25 | +$26,104 |
| Step 8 | $178,577 | $6,868.35 | $85.57 | +$26,829 |
| Step 9 | $183,403 | $7,053.96 | $87.88 | +$27,554 |
| Step 10 | $188,229 | $7,239.58 | $90.19 | +$28,279 |
2024 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $144,795 | $5,569.04 | $69.38 | +$21,754 |
| Step 2 | $149,621 | $5,754.65 | $71.69 | +$22,479 |
| Step 3 | $154,447 | $5,940.27 | $74.00 | +$23,204 |
| Step 4 | $159,273 | $6,125.88 | $76.32 | +$23,929 |
| Step 5 | $164,099 | $6,311.50 | $78.63 | +$24,654 |
| Step 6 | $168,925 | $6,497.12 | $80.94 | +$25,379 |
| Step 7 | $173,751 | $6,682.73 | $83.25 | +$26,104 |
| Step 8 | $178,577 | $6,868.35 | $85.57 | +$26,829 |
| Step 9 | $183,403 | $7,053.96 | $87.88 | +$27,554 |
| Step 10 | $188,229 | $7,239.58 | $90.19 | +$28,279 |
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 2024, the Des Moines pay area adds a 17.68% 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 $5,569 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,240. 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-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 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $144,795 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $188,229. This is 17.68% 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 2024, it is 17.68%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,754 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 $5,569 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.