2026 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 $126,384 on the base table to $149,146 in Des Moines.
2026 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 | $149,146 | $5,736.38 | $71.46 | +$22,762 |
| Step 2 | $154,118 | $5,927.62 | $73.85 | +$23,521 |
| Step 3 | $159,089 | $6,118.81 | $76.23 | +$24,279 |
| Step 4 | $164,061 | $6,310.04 | $78.61 | +$25,038 |
| Step 5 | $169,033 | $6,501.27 | $80.99 | +$25,797 |
| Step 6 | $174,005 | $6,692.50 | $83.38 | +$26,556 |
| Step 7 | $178,976 | $6,883.69 | $85.76 | +$27,314 |
| Step 8 | $183,948 | $7,074.92 | $88.14 | +$28,073 |
| Step 9 | $188,920 | $7,266.15 | $90.52 | +$28,832 |
| Step 10 | $193,892 | $7,457.38 | $92.90 | +$29,591 |
2026 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 | $149,146 | $5,736.38 | $71.46 | +$22,762 |
| Step 2 | $154,118 | $5,927.62 | $73.85 | +$23,521 |
| Step 3 | $159,089 | $6,118.81 | $76.23 | +$24,279 |
| Step 4 | $164,061 | $6,310.04 | $78.61 | +$25,038 |
| Step 5 | $169,033 | $6,501.27 | $80.99 | +$25,797 |
| Step 6 | $174,005 | $6,692.50 | $83.38 | +$26,556 |
| Step 7 | $178,976 | $6,883.69 | $85.76 | +$27,314 |
| Step 8 | $183,948 | $7,074.92 | $88.14 | +$28,073 |
| Step 9 | $188,920 | $7,266.15 | $90.52 | +$28,832 |
| Step 10 | $193,892 | $7,457.38 | $92.90 | +$29,591 |
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 2026, 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 $5,736 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,457. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
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 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $149,146 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $193,892. 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 2026, it is 18.01%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,762 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 $5,736 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.