2015 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 25.10% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $101,630 on the base table to $127,139 in CHICAGO.
2015 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $127,139 | $4,889.96 | $60.92 | +$25,509 |
| Step 2 | $131,378 | $5,053.00 | $62.95 | +$26,360 |
| Step 3 | $135,616 | $5,216.00 | $64.98 | +$27,210 |
| Step 4 | $139,854 | $5,379.00 | $67.01 | +$28,060 |
| Step 5 | $144,093 | $5,542.04 | $69.04 | +$28,911 |
| Step 6 | $148,331 | $5,705.04 | $71.07 | +$29,761 |
| Step 7 | $152,569 | $5,868.04 | $73.10 | +$30,611 |
| Step 8 | $156,808 | $6,031.08 | $75.14 | +$31,462 |
| Step 9 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$29,966 |
| Step 10 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$26,578 |
2015 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $127,139 | $4,889.96 | $60.92 | +$25,509 |
| Step 2 | $131,378 | $5,053.00 | $62.95 | +$26,360 |
| Step 3 | $135,616 | $5,216.00 | $64.98 | +$27,210 |
| Step 4 | $139,854 | $5,379.00 | $67.01 | +$28,060 |
| Step 5 | $144,093 | $5,542.04 | $69.04 | +$28,911 |
| Step 6 | $148,331 | $5,705.04 | $71.07 | +$29,761 |
| Step 7 | $152,569 | $5,868.04 | $73.10 | +$30,611 |
| Step 8 | $156,808 | $6,031.08 | $75.14 | +$31,462 |
| Step 9 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$29,966 |
| Step 10 | $158,700 | $6,103.85 | $76.04 | +$26,578 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more CHICAGO pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in CHICAGO: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2015, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in CHICAGO
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $4,890 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,104. 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-15 CHICAGO page.
Other grades in CHICAGO
GS-15 in CHICAGO questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in CHICAGO?
In 2015, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $127,139 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $158,700. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $25,509 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CHICAGO?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $4,890 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.