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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$22,494 GS-1 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2014)
$28,140 GS-1 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2014)
+$4,513 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-1 pay table for CHICAGO

Each step below already includes the 25.10% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-1 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $22,494 $865.15 $10.78 +$4,513
Step 2 $23,246 $894.08 $11.14 +$4,664
Step 3 $23,994 $922.85 $11.50 +$4,814
Step 4 $24,739 $951.50 $11.85 +$4,964
Step 5 $25,487 $980.27 $12.21 +$5,114
Step 6 $25,926 $997.15 $12.42 +$5,202
Step 7 $26,665 $1,025.58 $12.78 +$5,350
Step 8 $27,411 $1,054.27 $13.13 +$5,500
Step 9 $27,439 $1,055.35 $13.15 +$5,505
Step 10 $28,140 $1,082.31 $13.48 +$5,646
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Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-1 Step 1 $17,981
  • CHICAGO GS-1 Step 1 $22,494
  • Locality add-on +$4,513
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-1 Step 10 $22,494
  • CHICAGO GS-1 Step 10 $28,140

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-1 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Entry-level clerical, labor and support positions. GS-1 is rarely used today; most entry roles now start at GS-2 or GS-3.

For 2014, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-1 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. No formal education or experience required. Generally filled by workers with basic literacy and ability to follow simple instructions.

Promotion path. Promotion to GS-2 typically follows one year of satisfactory service.

The rough military equivalent for GS-1 is E-2 Private Second Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-1 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $865 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,082. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2014 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-1 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-1 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-1 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2014, a GS-1 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $22,494 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $28,140. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-1 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-1 in CHICAGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHICAGO in 2014, it is 25.10%. On a GS-1 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $4,513 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-1 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-1 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $865 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.