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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$28,256 GS-2 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2020)
$35,559 GS-2 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2020)
+$6,282 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-2 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-2 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $28,256 $1,086.77 $13.54 +$6,282
Step 2 $28,929 $1,112.65 $13.86 +$6,432
Step 3 $29,865 $1,148.65 $14.31 +$6,640
Step 4 $30,656 $1,179.08 $14.69 +$6,816
Step 5 $31,000 $1,192.31 $14.85 +$6,892
Step 6 $31,912 $1,227.38 $15.29 +$7,095
Step 7 $32,824 $1,262.46 $15.73 +$7,298
Step 8 $33,736 $1,297.54 $16.16 +$7,501
Step 9 $34,647 $1,332.58 $16.60 +$7,703
Step 10 $35,559 $1,367.65 $17.04 +$7,906
← GS-1 Calculate my take-home GS-3 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-2 Step 1 $21,974
  • CHICAGO GS-2 Step 1 $28,256
  • Locality add-on +$6,282
  • Adjustment percent 28.59%
  • Base GS-2 Step 10 $27,653
  • CHICAGO GS-2 Step 10 $35,559

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-2 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Basic clerical, file-room and light-labor assignments. Often a starting point for summer hires and interns.

For 2020, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.59% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-2 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. High school or equivalent, or three months of general experience.

Promotion path. Most GS-2 employees advance to GS-3 after one year.

The rough military equivalent for GS-2 is E-3 Private First Class, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-2 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,087 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,368. 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-2 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-2 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-2 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2020, a GS-2 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $28,256 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $35,559. This is 28.59% higher than the base GS-2 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-2 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-2 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $6,282 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-2 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-2 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,087 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.