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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$33,591 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2019)
$43,664 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2019)
+$7,358 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $33,591 $1,291.96 $16.10 +$7,358
Step 2 $34,711 $1,335.04 $16.63 +$7,604
Step 3 $35,830 $1,378.08 $17.17 +$7,849
Step 4 $36,949 $1,421.12 $17.70 +$8,094
Step 5 $38,068 $1,464.15 $18.24 +$8,339
Step 6 $39,187 $1,507.19 $18.78 +$8,584
Step 7 $40,306 $1,550.23 $19.31 +$8,829
Step 8 $41,425 $1,593.27 $19.85 +$9,074
Step 9 $42,545 $1,636.35 $20.39 +$9,320
Step 10 $43,664 $1,679.38 $20.92 +$9,565
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,233
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $33,591
  • Locality add-on +$7,358
  • Adjustment percent 28.05%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,099
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $43,664

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 2019, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.05% 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 $1,292 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,679. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2019, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $33,591 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $43,664. This is 28.05% 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 2019, it is 28.05%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,358 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 $1,292 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.