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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,919 GS-12 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2015)
$100,000 GS-12 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2015)
+$15,433 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 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 $76,919 $2,958.42 $36.86 +$15,433
Step 2 $79,484 $3,057.08 $38.09 +$15,948
Step 3 $82,048 $3,155.69 $39.31 +$16,462
Step 4 $84,613 $3,254.35 $40.54 +$16,977
Step 5 $87,177 $3,352.96 $41.77 +$17,491
Step 6 $89,742 $3,451.62 $43.00 +$18,006
Step 7 $92,306 $3,550.23 $44.23 +$18,520
Step 8 $94,871 $3,648.88 $45.46 +$19,035
Step 9 $97,435 $3,747.50 $46.69 +$19,549
Step 10 $100,000 $3,846.15 $47.92 +$20,064
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 1 $76,919
  • Locality add-on +$15,433
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 10 $100,000

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 2015, 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 $2,958 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,846. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 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 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $76,919 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,000. 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 2015, it is 25.10%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,433 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 $2,958 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.