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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,157 GS-12 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2014)
$99,002 GS-12 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2014)
+$15,280 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $76,157 $2,929.12 $36.49 +$15,280
Step 2 $78,695 $3,026.73 $37.71 +$15,789
Step 3 $81,234 $3,124.38 $38.92 +$16,299
Step 4 $83,772 $3,222.00 $40.14 +$16,808
Step 5 $86,310 $3,319.62 $41.36 +$17,317
Step 6 $88,849 $3,417.27 $42.57 +$17,827
Step 7 $91,387 $3,514.88 $43.79 +$18,336
Step 8 $93,925 $3,612.50 $45.00 +$18,845
Step 9 $96,463 $3,710.12 $46.22 +$19,354
Step 10 $99,002 $3,807.77 $47.44 +$19,864
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $60,877
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 1 $76,157
  • Locality add-on +$15,280
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,138
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 10 $99,002

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-12 in CHICAGO: 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 2014, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% 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 CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $2,929 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,808. 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-12 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-12 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2014, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $76,157 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $99,002. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 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-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,280 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $2,929 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.