2017 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 26.85% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $103,672 on the base table to $131,508 in CHICAGO.
2017 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $131,508 | $5,058.00 | $63.01 | +$27,836 |
| Step 2 | $135,892 | $5,226.62 | $65.11 | +$28,764 |
| Step 3 | $140,276 | $5,395.23 | $67.21 | +$29,692 |
| Step 4 | $144,660 | $5,563.85 | $69.31 | +$30,620 |
| Step 5 | $149,044 | $5,732.46 | $71.42 | +$31,548 |
| Step 6 | $153,428 | $5,901.08 | $73.52 | +$32,476 |
| Step 7 | $157,812 | $6,069.69 | $75.62 | +$33,404 |
| Step 8 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$34,036 |
| Step 9 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$30,580 |
| Step 10 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$27,124 |
2017 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $131,508 | $5,058.00 | $63.01 | +$27,836 |
| Step 2 | $135,892 | $5,226.62 | $65.11 | +$28,764 |
| Step 3 | $140,276 | $5,395.23 | $67.21 | +$29,692 |
| Step 4 | $144,660 | $5,563.85 | $69.31 | +$30,620 |
| Step 5 | $149,044 | $5,732.46 | $71.42 | +$31,548 |
| Step 6 | $153,428 | $5,901.08 | $73.52 | +$32,476 |
| Step 7 | $157,812 | $6,069.69 | $75.62 | +$33,404 |
| Step 8 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$34,036 |
| Step 9 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$30,580 |
| Step 10 | $161,900 | $6,226.92 | $77.58 | +$27,124 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more CHICAGO pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in CHICAGO: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in CHICAGO
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $5,058 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,227. 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-15 CHICAGO page.
Other grades in CHICAGO
GS-15 in CHICAGO questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in CHICAGO?
In 2017, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $131,508 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,900. This is 26.85% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $27,836 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CHICAGO?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $5,058 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.