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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$66,379 GS-11 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2017)
$86,290 GS-11 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2017)
+$14,050 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-11 pay table for CHICAGO

Each step below already includes the 26.85% 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 $66,379 $2,553.04 $31.81 +$14,050
Step 2 $68,592 $2,638.15 $32.87 +$14,519
Step 3 $70,804 $2,723.23 $33.93 +$14,987
Step 4 $73,016 $2,808.31 $34.99 +$15,455
Step 5 $75,228 $2,893.38 $36.05 +$15,923
Step 6 $77,441 $2,978.50 $37.11 +$16,392
Step 7 $79,653 $3,063.58 $38.17 +$16,860
Step 8 $81,865 $3,148.65 $39.23 +$17,328
Step 9 $84,077 $3,233.73 $40.29 +$17,796
Step 10 $86,290 $3,318.85 $41.35 +$18,265
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $52,329
  • CHICAGO GS-11 Step 1 $66,379
  • Locality add-on +$14,050
  • Adjustment percent 26.85%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $68,025
  • CHICAGO GS-11 Step 10 $86,290

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 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% 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 $2,553 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,319. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2017 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 2017, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $66,379 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $86,290. This is 26.85% 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 2017, it is 26.85%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,050 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 $2,553 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.