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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,127 GS-6 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2018)
$53,460 GS-6 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2018)
+$8,863 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $41,127 $1,581.81 $19.71 +$8,863
Step 2 $42,497 $1,634.50 $20.36 +$9,158
Step 3 $43,868 $1,687.23 $21.02 +$9,454
Step 4 $45,238 $1,739.92 $21.68 +$9,749
Step 5 $46,608 $1,792.62 $22.33 +$10,044
Step 6 $47,978 $1,845.31 $22.99 +$10,339
Step 7 $49,349 $1,898.04 $23.65 +$10,635
Step 8 $50,719 $1,950.73 $24.30 +$10,930
Step 9 $52,089 $2,003.42 $24.96 +$11,225
Step 10 $53,460 $2,056.15 $25.62 +$11,521
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $32,264
  • CHICAGO GS-6 Step 1 $41,127
  • Locality add-on +$8,863
  • Adjustment percent 27.47%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $41,939
  • CHICAGO GS-6 Step 10 $53,460

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-6 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2018, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 27.47% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,582 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,056. 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-6 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-6 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2018, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $41,127 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $53,460. This is 27.47% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $8,863 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,582 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.