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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$39,021 GS-6 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2015)
$50,731 GS-6 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2015)
+$7,829 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $39,021 $1,500.81 $18.70 +$7,829
Step 2 $40,322 $1,550.85 $19.32 +$8,090
Step 3 $41,623 $1,600.88 $19.94 +$8,351
Step 4 $42,924 $1,650.92 $20.57 +$8,612
Step 5 $44,225 $1,700.96 $21.19 +$8,873
Step 6 $45,526 $1,751.00 $21.81 +$9,134
Step 7 $46,827 $1,801.04 $22.44 +$9,395
Step 8 $48,128 $1,851.08 $23.06 +$9,656
Step 9 $49,430 $1,901.15 $23.68 +$9,918
Step 10 $50,731 $1,951.19 $24.31 +$10,179
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $31,192
  • CHICAGO GS-6 Step 1 $39,021
  • Locality add-on +$7,829
  • Adjustment percent 25.10%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $40,552
  • CHICAGO GS-6 Step 10 $50,731

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-6 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2015, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.10% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,501 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,951. 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-6 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-6 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2015, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $39,021 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $50,731. This is 25.10% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,829 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,501 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.