2026 GS-4 Pay in Des Moines
GS-4 employees with a duty station in Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA earn 18.01% on top of the base GS-4 pay scale. That means a GS-4 Step 1 salary jumps from $31,103 on the base table to $36,705 in Des Moines.
2026 GS-4 Pay in Des Moines
Locality-adjusted GS-4 rates for Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $36,705 | $1,411.73 | $17.59 | +$5,602 |
| Step 2 | $37,928 | $1,458.77 | $18.17 | +$5,788 |
| Step 3 | $39,152 | $1,505.85 | $18.76 | +$5,975 |
| Step 4 | $40,376 | $1,552.92 | $19.35 | +$6,162 |
| Step 5 | $41,600 | $1,600.00 | $19.93 | +$6,349 |
| Step 6 | $42,823 | $1,647.04 | $20.52 | +$6,535 |
| Step 7 | $44,047 | $1,694.12 | $21.11 | +$6,722 |
| Step 8 | $45,271 | $1,741.19 | $21.69 | +$6,909 |
| Step 9 | $46,495 | $1,788.27 | $22.28 | +$7,096 |
| Step 10 | $47,719 | $1,835.35 | $22.86 | +$7,283 |
2026 GS-4 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-4 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $36,705 | $1,411.73 | $17.59 | +$5,602 |
| Step 2 | $37,928 | $1,458.77 | $18.17 | +$5,788 |
| Step 3 | $39,152 | $1,505.85 | $18.76 | +$5,975 |
| Step 4 | $40,376 | $1,552.92 | $19.35 | +$6,162 |
| Step 5 | $41,600 | $1,600.00 | $19.93 | +$6,349 |
| Step 6 | $42,823 | $1,647.04 | $20.52 | +$6,535 |
| Step 7 | $44,047 | $1,694.12 | $21.11 | +$6,722 |
| Step 8 | $45,271 | $1,741.19 | $21.69 | +$6,909 |
| Step 9 | $46,495 | $1,788.27 | $22.28 | +$7,096 |
| Step 10 | $47,719 | $1,835.35 | $22.86 | +$7,283 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Des Moines pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-4 in Des Moines: what to expect
Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.
For 2026, the Des Moines pay area adds a 18.01% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.
Qualifications and career path
Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.
Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in Des Moines
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,412 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,835. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Des Moines
GS-4 in Des Moines questions
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How much does a GS-4 make in Des Moines?
In 2026, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns $36,705 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,719. This is 18.01% higher than the base GS-4 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,602 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Des Moines?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Des Moines earns roughly $1,412 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.