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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,563 GS-12 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2017)
$103,435 GS-12 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2017)
+$16,841 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $79,563 $3,060.12 $38.12 +$16,841
Step 2 $82,215 $3,162.12 $39.39 +$17,402
Step 3 $84,868 $3,264.15 $40.67 +$17,964
Step 4 $87,520 $3,366.15 $41.94 +$18,525
Step 5 $90,173 $3,468.19 $43.21 +$19,087
Step 6 $92,825 $3,570.19 $44.48 +$19,648
Step 7 $95,477 $3,672.19 $45.75 +$20,209
Step 8 $98,130 $3,774.23 $47.02 +$20,771
Step 9 $100,782 $3,876.23 $48.29 +$21,332
Step 10 $103,435 $3,978.27 $49.56 +$21,894
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $62,722
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 1 $79,563
  • Locality add-on +$16,841
  • Adjustment percent 26.85%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $81,541
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 10 $103,435

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-12 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 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-12 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,060 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,978. 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-12 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-12 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2017, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $79,563 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,435. This is 26.85% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 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-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,841 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,060 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.