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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$36,209 GS-5 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2017)
$47,078 GS-5 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2017)
+$7,664 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-5 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-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $36,209 $1,392.65 $17.35 +$7,664
Step 2 $37,417 $1,439.12 $17.93 +$7,920
Step 3 $38,625 $1,485.58 $18.51 +$8,176
Step 4 $39,832 $1,532.00 $19.09 +$8,431
Step 5 $41,040 $1,578.46 $19.66 +$8,687
Step 6 $42,247 $1,624.88 $20.24 +$8,942
Step 7 $43,455 $1,671.35 $20.82 +$9,198
Step 8 $44,663 $1,717.81 $21.40 +$9,454
Step 9 $45,870 $1,764.23 $21.98 +$9,709
Step 10 $47,078 $1,810.69 $22.56 +$9,965
← GS-4 Calculate my take-home GS-6 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $28,545
  • CHICAGO GS-5 Step 1 $36,209
  • Locality add-on +$7,664
  • Adjustment percent 26.85%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $37,113
  • CHICAGO GS-5 Step 10 $47,078

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-5 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,393 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,811. 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-5 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-5 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2017, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $36,209 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $47,078. This is 26.85% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 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-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,664 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,393 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.