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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$64,992 GS-11 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2016)
$84,489 GS-11 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2016)
+$13,181 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-11 pay table for CHICAGO

Each step below already includes the 25.44% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-11 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $64,992 $2,499.69 $31.14 +$13,181
Step 2 $67,158 $2,583.00 $32.18 +$13,620
Step 3 $69,324 $2,666.31 $33.22 +$14,059
Step 4 $71,491 $2,749.65 $34.26 +$14,499
Step 5 $73,657 $2,832.96 $35.29 +$14,938
Step 6 $75,823 $2,916.27 $36.33 +$15,377
Step 7 $77,990 $2,999.62 $37.37 +$15,817
Step 8 $80,156 $3,082.92 $38.41 +$16,256
Step 9 $82,323 $3,166.27 $39.45 +$16,696
Step 10 $84,489 $3,249.58 $40.48 +$17,135
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $51,811
  • CHICAGO GS-11 Step 1 $64,992
  • Locality add-on +$13,181
  • Adjustment percent 25.44%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $67,354
  • CHICAGO GS-11 Step 10 $84,489

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-11 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Full performance for most professional careers: budget analysts, program managers, engineers, IT specialists and criminal investigators.

For 2016, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.44% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-11 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level.

Promotion path. Typical career ladder peak for entry-level hires; competitive promotion to GS-12 requires vacancy and supervisory selection.

The rough military equivalent for GS-11 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-11 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $2,500 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,250. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2016 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-11 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-11 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-11 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2016, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $64,992 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $84,489. This is 25.44% higher than the base GS-11 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-11 in CHICAGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHICAGO in 2016, it is 25.44%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,181 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-11 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-11 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $2,500 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.