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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$56,945 GS-9 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2019)
$74,024 GS-9 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2019)
+$12,474 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2019 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $56,945 $2,190.19 $27.29 +$12,474
Step 2 $58,843 $2,263.19 $28.20 +$12,890
Step 3 $60,741 $2,336.19 $29.10 +$13,306
Step 4 $62,638 $2,409.15 $30.01 +$13,721
Step 5 $64,536 $2,482.15 $30.92 +$14,137
Step 6 $66,434 $2,555.15 $31.83 +$14,553
Step 7 $68,331 $2,628.12 $32.74 +$14,968
Step 8 $70,229 $2,701.12 $33.65 +$15,384
Step 9 $72,127 $2,774.12 $34.56 +$15,800
Step 10 $74,024 $2,847.08 $35.47 +$16,215
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $44,471
  • CHICAGO GS-9 Step 1 $56,945
  • Locality add-on +$12,474
  • Adjustment percent 28.05%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $57,809
  • CHICAGO GS-9 Step 10 $74,024

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-9 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2019, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.05% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-9 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $2,190 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,847. 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-9 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-9 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2019, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $56,945 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $74,024. This is 28.05% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $12,474 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $2,190 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.