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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$41,893 GS-6 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2019)
$54,466 GS-6 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2019)
+$9,177 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $41,893 $1,611.27 $20.07 +$9,177
Step 2 $43,290 $1,665.00 $20.74 +$9,483
Step 3 $44,687 $1,718.73 $21.41 +$9,789
Step 4 $46,084 $1,772.46 $22.08 +$10,095
Step 5 $47,481 $1,826.19 $22.75 +$10,401
Step 6 $48,878 $1,879.92 $23.42 +$10,707
Step 7 $50,275 $1,933.65 $24.09 +$11,013
Step 8 $51,672 $1,987.38 $24.76 +$11,319
Step 9 $53,069 $2,041.12 $25.43 +$11,625
Step 10 $54,466 $2,094.85 $26.10 +$11,931
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $32,716
  • CHICAGO GS-6 Step 1 $41,893
  • Locality add-on +$9,177
  • Adjustment percent 28.05%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $42,535
  • CHICAGO GS-6 Step 10 $54,466

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 2019, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.05% 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 $1,611 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,095. 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-6 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-6 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2019, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $41,893 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $54,466. This is 28.05% 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 2019, it is 28.05%. On a GS-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,177 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 $1,611 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.