2018 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 27.47% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $105,123 on the base table to $134,000 in CHICAGO.
2018 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,000 | $5,153.85 | $64.21 | +$28,877 |
| Step 2 | $138,467 | $5,325.65 | $66.35 | +$29,840 |
| Step 3 | $142,933 | $5,497.42 | $68.49 | +$30,802 |
| Step 4 | $147,400 | $5,669.23 | $70.63 | +$31,765 |
| Step 5 | $151,866 | $5,841.00 | $72.77 | +$32,727 |
| Step 6 | $156,333 | $6,012.81 | $74.91 | +$33,690 |
| Step 7 | $160,800 | $6,184.62 | $77.05 | +$34,653 |
| Step 8 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$34,549 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
2018 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $134,000 | $5,153.85 | $64.21 | +$28,877 |
| Step 2 | $138,467 | $5,325.65 | $66.35 | +$29,840 |
| Step 3 | $142,933 | $5,497.42 | $68.49 | +$30,802 |
| Step 4 | $147,400 | $5,669.23 | $70.63 | +$31,765 |
| Step 5 | $151,866 | $5,841.00 | $72.77 | +$32,727 |
| Step 6 | $156,333 | $6,012.81 | $74.91 | +$33,690 |
| Step 7 | $160,800 | $6,184.62 | $77.05 | +$34,653 |
| Step 8 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$34,549 |
| Step 9 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$31,045 |
| Step 10 | $164,200 | $6,315.38 | $78.68 | +$27,541 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more CHICAGO pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in CHICAGO: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2018, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 27.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in CHICAGO
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $5,154 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,315. 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-15 CHICAGO page.
Other grades in CHICAGO
GS-15 in CHICAGO questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in CHICAGO?
In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $134,000 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $164,200. This is 27.47% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,877 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CHICAGO?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $5,154 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.