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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$32,365 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2017)
$42,069 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2017)
+$6,851 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $32,365 $1,244.81 $15.51 +$6,851
Step 2 $33,443 $1,286.27 $16.02 +$7,079
Step 3 $34,521 $1,327.73 $16.54 +$7,307
Step 4 $35,599 $1,369.19 $17.06 +$7,535
Step 5 $36,677 $1,410.65 $17.57 +$7,763
Step 6 $37,756 $1,452.15 $18.09 +$7,992
Step 7 $38,834 $1,493.62 $18.61 +$8,220
Step 8 $39,912 $1,535.08 $19.12 +$8,448
Step 9 $40,990 $1,576.54 $19.64 +$8,676
Step 10 $42,069 $1,618.04 $20.16 +$8,905
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,514
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $32,365
  • Locality add-on +$6,851
  • Adjustment percent 26.85%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $33,164
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $42,069

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 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% 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 $1,245 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,618. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2017, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $32,365 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $42,069. This is 26.85% 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 2017, it is 26.85%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,851 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 $1,245 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.