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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$91,467 GS-13 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2015)
$118,905 GS-13 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2015)
+$18,352 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $91,467 $3,517.96 $43.83 +$18,352
Step 2 $94,516 $3,635.23 $45.29 +$18,964
Step 3 $97,564 $3,752.46 $46.75 +$19,575
Step 4 $100,613 $3,869.73 $48.21 +$20,187
Step 5 $103,662 $3,987.00 $49.67 +$20,799
Step 6 $106,710 $4,104.23 $51.13 +$21,410
Step 7 $109,759 $4,221.50 $52.59 +$22,022
Step 8 $112,808 $4,338.77 $54.05 +$22,634
Step 9 $115,856 $4,456.00 $55.51 +$23,245
Step 10 $118,905 $4,573.27 $56.97 +$23,857
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $73,115
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 1 $91,467
  • Locality add-on +$18,352
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $95,048
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 10 $118,905

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-13 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2015, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,518 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,573. 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-13 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-13 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2015, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $91,467 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $118,905. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,352 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,518 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.