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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$49,673 GS-8 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2017)
$64,572 GS-8 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2017)
+$10,514 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2017 GS-8 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-8 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $49,673 $1,910.50 $23.80 +$10,514
Step 2 $51,329 $1,974.19 $24.59 +$10,865
Step 3 $52,984 $2,037.85 $25.39 +$11,215
Step 4 $54,639 $2,101.50 $26.18 +$11,565
Step 5 $56,295 $2,165.19 $26.97 +$11,916
Step 6 $57,950 $2,228.85 $27.77 +$12,266
Step 7 $59,606 $2,292.54 $28.56 +$12,617
Step 8 $61,261 $2,356.19 $29.35 +$12,967
Step 9 $62,916 $2,419.85 $30.15 +$13,317
Step 10 $64,572 $2,483.54 $30.94 +$13,668
← GS-7 Calculate my take-home GS-9 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-8 Step 1 $39,159
  • CHICAGO GS-8 Step 1 $49,673
  • Locality add-on +$10,514
  • Adjustment percent 26.85%
  • Base GS-8 Step 10 $50,904
  • CHICAGO GS-8 Step 10 $64,572

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-8 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Senior technicians, investigators and lead administrative support. Less common than GS-7 or GS-9, often reserved for specialized technical work.

For 2017, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 26.85% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-8 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-7 level.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-9 after one year in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-8 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-8 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,911 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,484. 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-8 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-8 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-8 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2017, a GS-8 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $49,673 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $64,572. This is 26.85% higher than the base GS-8 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-8 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-8 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,514 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-8 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-8 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,911 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.