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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,289 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2015)
$40,679 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2015)
+$6,278 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $31,289 $1,203.42 $14.99 +$6,278
Step 2 $32,332 $1,243.54 $15.49 +$6,487
Step 3 $33,375 $1,283.65 $15.99 +$6,696
Step 4 $34,419 $1,323.81 $16.49 +$6,906
Step 5 $35,462 $1,363.92 $16.99 +$7,115
Step 6 $36,505 $1,404.04 $17.49 +$7,324
Step 7 $37,549 $1,444.19 $17.99 +$7,534
Step 8 $38,592 $1,484.31 $18.49 +$7,743
Step 9 $39,635 $1,524.42 $18.99 +$7,952
Step 10 $40,679 $1,564.58 $19.49 +$8,162
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,011
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $31,289
  • Locality add-on +$6,278
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $32,517
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $40,679

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-4 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2015, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,203 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,565. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2015, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $31,289 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $40,679. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,278 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,203 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.