2026 GS-12 Pay in Des Moines
GS-12 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 18.01% on top of the base GS-12 pay scale. That means a GS-12 Step 1 salary jumps from $76,463 on the base table to $90,234 in Des Moines.
2026 GS-12 Pay in Des Moines
Locality-adjusted GS-12 rates for Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $90,234 | $3,470.54 | $43.24 | +$13,771 |
| Step 2 | $93,242 | $3,586.23 | $44.68 | +$14,230 |
| Step 3 | $96,250 | $3,701.92 | $46.12 | +$14,689 |
| Step 4 | $99,258 | $3,817.62 | $47.56 | +$15,148 |
| Step 5 | $102,266 | $3,933.31 | $49.00 | +$15,607 |
| Step 6 | $105,274 | $4,049.00 | $50.44 | +$16,066 |
| Step 7 | $108,282 | $4,164.69 | $51.88 | +$16,525 |
| Step 8 | $111,291 | $4,280.42 | $53.33 | +$16,985 |
| Step 9 | $114,299 | $4,396.12 | $54.77 | +$17,444 |
| Step 10 | $117,307 | $4,511.81 | $56.21 | +$17,903 |
2026 GS-12 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-12 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $90,234 | $3,470.54 | $43.24 | +$13,771 |
| Step 2 | $93,242 | $3,586.23 | $44.68 | +$14,230 |
| Step 3 | $96,250 | $3,701.92 | $46.12 | +$14,689 |
| Step 4 | $99,258 | $3,817.62 | $47.56 | +$15,148 |
| Step 5 | $102,266 | $3,933.31 | $49.00 | +$15,607 |
| Step 6 | $105,274 | $4,049.00 | $50.44 | +$16,066 |
| Step 7 | $108,282 | $4,164.69 | $51.88 | +$16,525 |
| Step 8 | $111,291 | $4,280.42 | $53.33 | +$16,985 |
| Step 9 | $114,299 | $4,396.12 | $54.77 | +$17,444 |
| Step 10 | $117,307 | $4,511.81 | $56.21 | +$17,903 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Des Moines pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-12 in Des Moines: what to expect
Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.
For 2026, the Des Moines pay area adds a 18.01% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.
Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.
The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Des Moines
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $3,471 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,512. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Des Moines
GS-12 in Des Moines questions
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How much does a GS-12 make in Des Moines?
In 2026, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $90,234 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $117,307. This is 18.01% higher than the base GS-12 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Des Moines?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Des Moines in 2026, it is 18.01%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,771 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Des Moines?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $3,471 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.