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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,659 GS-5 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2014)
$45,062 GS-5 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2014)
+$6,954 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2014 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,659 $1,333.04 $16.61 +$6,954
Step 2 $35,815 $1,377.50 $17.16 +$7,186
Step 3 $36,971 $1,421.96 $17.71 +$7,418
Step 4 $38,127 $1,466.42 $18.27 +$7,650
Step 5 $39,283 $1,510.88 $18.82 +$7,882
Step 6 $40,439 $1,555.35 $19.38 +$8,114
Step 7 $41,594 $1,599.77 $19.93 +$8,345
Step 8 $42,750 $1,644.23 $20.48 +$8,577
Step 9 $43,906 $1,688.69 $21.04 +$8,809
Step 10 $45,062 $1,733.15 $21.59 +$9,041
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $27,705
  • CHICAGO GS-5 Step 1 $34,659
  • Locality add-on +$6,954
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $36,021
  • CHICAGO GS-5 Step 10 $45,062

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-5 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2014, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,333 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,733. 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-5 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-5 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2014, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $34,659 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,062. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,954 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,333 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.