2019 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 28.05% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $106,595 on the base table to $136,495 in CHICAGO.
2019 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 | $136,495 | $5,249.81 | $65.40 | +$29,900 |
| Step 2 | $141,045 | $5,424.81 | $67.58 | +$30,897 |
| Step 3 | $145,594 | $5,599.77 | $69.76 | +$31,893 |
| Step 4 | $150,144 | $5,774.77 | $71.94 | +$32,890 |
| Step 5 | $154,693 | $5,949.73 | $74.12 | +$33,886 |
| Step 6 | $159,243 | $6,124.73 | $76.30 | +$34,883 |
| Step 7 | $163,793 | $6,299.73 | $78.48 | +$35,880 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
2019 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $136,495 | $5,249.81 | $65.40 | +$29,900 |
| Step 2 | $141,045 | $5,424.81 | $67.58 | +$30,897 |
| Step 3 | $145,594 | $5,599.77 | $69.76 | +$31,893 |
| Step 4 | $150,144 | $5,774.77 | $71.94 | +$32,890 |
| Step 5 | $154,693 | $5,949.73 | $74.12 | +$33,886 |
| Step 6 | $159,243 | $6,124.73 | $76.30 | +$34,883 |
| Step 7 | $163,793 | $6,299.73 | $78.48 | +$35,880 |
| Step 8 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$35,034 |
| Step 9 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$31,481 |
| Step 10 | $166,500 | $6,403.85 | $79.78 | +$27,928 |
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 2019, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.05% 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 $5,250 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,404. 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-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 2019, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $136,495 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $166,500. This is 28.05% 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 2019, it is 28.05%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $29,900 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 $5,250 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.