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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$92,632 GS-13 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2016)
$120,427 GS-13 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2016)
+$18,786 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $92,632 $3,562.77 $44.39 +$18,786
Step 2 $95,721 $3,681.58 $45.87 +$19,413
Step 3 $98,809 $3,800.35 $47.34 +$20,039
Step 4 $101,897 $3,919.12 $48.82 +$20,665
Step 5 $104,986 $4,037.92 $50.30 +$21,292
Step 6 $108,074 $4,156.69 $51.78 +$21,918
Step 7 $111,162 $4,275.46 $53.26 +$22,544
Step 8 $114,251 $4,394.27 $54.74 +$23,171
Step 9 $117,339 $4,513.04 $56.22 +$23,797
Step 10 $120,427 $4,631.81 $57.70 +$24,423
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $73,846
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 1 $92,632
  • Locality add-on +$18,786
  • Adjustment percent 25.44%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $96,004
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 10 $120,427

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 2016, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.44% 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 $3,563 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,632. 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-13 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-13 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2016, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $92,632 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $120,427. This is 25.44% 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 2016, it is 25.44%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,786 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 $3,563 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.