2025 GS-15 Pay in Des Moines
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 18.01% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $125,133 on the base table to $147,669 in Des Moines.
2025 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 | $147,669 | $5,679.58 | $70.76 | +$22,536 |
| Step 2 | $152,592 | $5,868.92 | $73.12 | +$23,288 |
| Step 3 | $157,514 | $6,058.23 | $75.47 | +$24,039 |
| Step 4 | $162,436 | $6,247.54 | $77.83 | +$24,790 |
| Step 5 | $167,358 | $6,436.85 | $80.19 | +$25,541 |
| Step 6 | $172,280 | $6,626.15 | $82.55 | +$26,292 |
| Step 7 | $177,203 | $6,815.50 | $84.91 | +$27,044 |
| Step 8 | $182,125 | $7,004.81 | $87.27 | +$27,795 |
| Step 9 | $187,047 | $7,194.12 | $89.62 | +$28,546 |
| Step 10 | $191,969 | $7,383.42 | $91.98 | +$29,297 |
2025 GS-15 pay table for Des Moines
Each step below already includes the 18.01% 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 | $147,669 | $5,679.58 | $70.76 | +$22,536 |
| Step 2 | $152,592 | $5,868.92 | $73.12 | +$23,288 |
| Step 3 | $157,514 | $6,058.23 | $75.47 | +$24,039 |
| Step 4 | $162,436 | $6,247.54 | $77.83 | +$24,790 |
| Step 5 | $167,358 | $6,436.85 | $80.19 | +$25,541 |
| Step 6 | $172,280 | $6,626.15 | $82.55 | +$26,292 |
| Step 7 | $177,203 | $6,815.50 | $84.91 | +$27,044 |
| Step 8 | $182,125 | $7,004.81 | $87.27 | +$27,795 |
| Step 9 | $187,047 | $7,194.12 | $89.62 | +$28,546 |
| Step 10 | $191,969 | $7,383.42 | $91.98 | +$29,297 |
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 2025, the Des Moines pay area adds a 18.01% 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 $5,680 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,383. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2025 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 2025, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $147,669 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $191,969. This is 18.01% 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 2025, it is 18.01%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,536 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 $5,680 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.