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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$81,071 GS-12 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2018)
$105,392 GS-12 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2018)
+$17,471 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-12 pay table for CHICAGO

Each step below already includes the 27.47% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $81,071 $3,118.12 $38.85 +$17,471
Step 2 $83,773 $3,222.04 $40.14 +$18,053
Step 3 $86,476 $3,326.00 $41.44 +$18,636
Step 4 $89,178 $3,429.92 $42.73 +$19,218
Step 5 $91,880 $3,533.85 $44.02 +$19,800
Step 6 $94,583 $3,637.81 $45.32 +$20,383
Step 7 $97,285 $3,741.73 $46.61 +$20,965
Step 8 $99,987 $3,845.65 $47.91 +$21,547
Step 9 $102,690 $3,949.62 $49.20 +$22,130
Step 10 $105,392 $4,053.54 $50.50 +$22,712
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $63,600
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 1 $81,071
  • Locality add-on +$17,471
  • Adjustment percent 27.47%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $82,680
  • CHICAGO GS-12 Step 10 $105,392

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-12 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2018, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 27.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 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-12 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,118 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,054. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-12 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2018, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $81,071 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,392. This is 27.47% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in CHICAGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHICAGO in 2018, it is 27.47%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,471 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,118 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.