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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$94,610 GS-13 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2017)
$122,991 GS-13 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2017)
+$20,026 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $94,610 $3,638.85 $45.33 +$20,026
Step 2 $97,763 $3,760.12 $46.84 +$20,693
Step 3 $100,917 $3,881.42 $48.36 +$21,361
Step 4 $104,070 $4,002.69 $49.87 +$22,028
Step 5 $107,224 $4,124.00 $51.38 +$22,696
Step 6 $110,377 $4,245.27 $52.89 +$23,363
Step 7 $113,531 $4,366.58 $54.40 +$24,031
Step 8 $116,684 $4,487.85 $55.91 +$24,698
Step 9 $119,838 $4,609.15 $57.42 +$25,366
Step 10 $122,991 $4,730.42 $58.93 +$26,033
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $74,584
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 1 $94,610
  • Locality add-on +$20,026
  • Adjustment percent 26.85%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $96,958
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 10 $122,991

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 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% 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 $3,639 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,730. 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-13 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-13 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2017, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $94,610 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $122,991. This is 26.85% 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 2017, it is 26.85%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,026 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 $3,639 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.