An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$32,978 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2018)
$42,867 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2018)
+$7,107 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $32,978 $1,268.38 $15.80 +$7,107
Step 2 $34,077 $1,310.65 $16.33 +$7,344
Step 3 $35,175 $1,352.88 $16.85 +$7,580
Step 4 $36,274 $1,395.15 $17.38 +$7,817
Step 5 $37,373 $1,437.42 $17.91 +$8,054
Step 6 $38,472 $1,479.69 $18.43 +$8,291
Step 7 $39,571 $1,521.96 $18.96 +$8,528
Step 8 $40,669 $1,564.19 $19.49 +$8,764
Step 9 $41,768 $1,606.46 $20.01 +$9,001
Step 10 $42,867 $1,648.73 $20.54 +$9,238
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $25,871
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $32,978
  • Locality add-on +$7,107
  • Adjustment percent 27.47%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $33,629
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $42,867

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-4 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2018, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 27.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,268 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,649. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2018, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $32,978 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $42,867. This is 27.47% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,107 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,268 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.