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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$98,198 GS-13 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2019)
$127,654 GS-13 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2019)
+$21,511 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-13 pay table for CHICAGO

Each step below already includes the 28.05% 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 $98,198 $3,776.85 $47.05 +$21,511
Step 2 $101,471 $3,902.73 $48.62 +$22,228
Step 3 $104,744 $4,028.62 $50.19 +$22,945
Step 4 $108,017 $4,154.50 $51.76 +$23,662
Step 5 $111,290 $4,280.38 $53.33 +$24,379
Step 6 $114,562 $4,406.23 $54.89 +$25,095
Step 7 $117,835 $4,532.12 $56.46 +$25,812
Step 8 $121,108 $4,658.00 $58.03 +$26,529
Step 9 $124,381 $4,783.88 $59.60 +$27,246
Step 10 $127,654 $4,909.77 $61.17 +$27,963
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $76,687
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 1 $98,198
  • Locality add-on +$21,511
  • Adjustment percent 28.05%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $99,691
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 10 $127,654

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 2019, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.05% 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 $3,777 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,910. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2019 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 2019, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $98,198 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $127,654. This is 28.05% 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 2019, it is 28.05%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,511 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 $3,777 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.