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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$31,687 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2016)
$41,193 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2016)
+$6,426 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2016 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $31,687 $1,218.73 $15.18 +$6,426
Step 2 $32,744 $1,259.38 $15.69 +$6,641
Step 3 $33,800 $1,300.00 $16.20 +$6,855
Step 4 $34,856 $1,340.62 $16.70 +$7,069
Step 5 $35,912 $1,381.23 $17.21 +$7,283
Step 6 $36,968 $1,421.85 $17.71 +$7,497
Step 7 $38,025 $1,462.50 $18.22 +$7,712
Step 8 $39,081 $1,503.12 $18.73 +$7,926
Step 9 $40,137 $1,543.73 $19.23 +$8,140
Step 10 $41,193 $1,584.35 $19.74 +$8,354
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,261
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $31,687
  • Locality add-on +$6,426
  • Adjustment percent 25.44%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $32,839
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $41,193

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 2016, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 25.44% 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 $1,219 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,584. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2016, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $31,687 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $41,193. This is 25.44% 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 2016, it is 25.44%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,426 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 $1,219 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.