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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$96,403 GS-13 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2018)
$125,325 GS-13 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2018)
+$20,775 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $96,403 $3,707.81 $46.19 +$20,775
Step 2 $99,617 $3,831.42 $47.73 +$21,468
Step 3 $102,830 $3,955.00 $49.27 +$22,160
Step 4 $106,044 $4,078.62 $50.81 +$22,853
Step 5 $109,257 $4,202.19 $52.35 +$23,545
Step 6 $112,471 $4,325.81 $53.89 +$24,238
Step 7 $115,684 $4,449.38 $55.43 +$24,930
Step 8 $118,898 $4,573.00 $56.97 +$25,623
Step 9 $122,111 $4,696.58 $58.51 +$26,315
Step 10 $125,325 $4,820.19 $60.05 +$27,008
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $75,628
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 1 $96,403
  • Locality add-on +$20,775
  • Adjustment percent 27.47%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $98,317
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 10 $125,325

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-13 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2018, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 27.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 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-13 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,708 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,820. 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-13 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-13 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2018, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $96,403 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $125,325. This is 27.47% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $20,775 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,708 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.