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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$46,554 GS-7 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2019)
$60,522 GS-7 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2019)
+$10,198 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-7 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-7 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $46,554 $1,790.54 $22.31 +$10,198
Step 2 $48,106 $1,850.23 $23.05 +$10,538
Step 3 $49,658 $1,909.92 $23.79 +$10,878
Step 4 $51,210 $1,969.62 $24.54 +$11,218
Step 5 $52,762 $2,029.31 $25.28 +$11,558
Step 6 $54,314 $2,089.00 $26.02 +$11,898
Step 7 $55,866 $2,148.69 $26.77 +$12,238
Step 8 $57,418 $2,208.38 $27.51 +$12,578
Step 9 $58,970 $2,268.08 $28.26 +$12,918
Step 10 $60,522 $2,327.77 $29.00 +$13,258
← GS-6 Calculate my take-home GS-8 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-7 Step 1 $36,356
  • CHICAGO GS-7 Step 1 $46,554
  • Locality add-on +$10,198
  • Adjustment percent 28.05%
  • Base GS-7 Step 10 $47,264
  • CHICAGO GS-7 Step 10 $60,522

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-7 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Entry-level professional roles for college graduates with superior academic achievement, plus more senior technician positions.

For 2019, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.05% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-7 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, one year of graduate study, or one year of GS-5-equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usual career-ladder promotion to GS-9 after one year of specialized experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-7 is O-2 First Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-7 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-7 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,791 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,328. 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-7 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-7 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-7 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2019, a GS-7 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $46,554 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $60,522. This is 28.05% higher than the base GS-7 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-7 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-7 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,198 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-7 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-7 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,791 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.