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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$101,176 GS-13 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2020)
$131,532 GS-13 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2020)
+$22,495 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-13 pay table for CHICAGO

Each step below already includes the 28.59% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $101,176 $3,891.38 $48.48 +$22,495
Step 2 $104,549 $4,021.12 $50.10 +$23,245
Step 3 $107,922 $4,150.85 $51.71 +$23,995
Step 4 $111,295 $4,280.58 $53.33 +$24,745
Step 5 $114,668 $4,410.31 $54.94 +$25,495
Step 6 $118,040 $4,540.00 $56.56 +$26,244
Step 7 $121,413 $4,669.73 $58.18 +$26,994
Step 8 $124,786 $4,799.46 $59.79 +$27,744
Step 9 $128,159 $4,929.19 $61.41 +$28,494
Step 10 $131,532 $5,058.92 $63.02 +$29,244
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $78,681
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 1 $101,176
  • Locality add-on +$22,495
  • Adjustment percent 28.59%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $102,288
  • CHICAGO GS-13 Step 10 $131,532

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-13 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2020, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.59% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,891 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,059. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-13 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-13 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2020, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $101,176 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $131,532. This is 28.59% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 in CHICAGO?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHICAGO in 2020, it is 28.59%. On a GS-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $22,495 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $3,891 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.