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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,610 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2020)
$44,991 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2020)
+$7,695 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-4 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-4 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $34,610 $1,331.15 $16.58 +$7,695
Step 2 $35,763 $1,375.50 $17.14 +$7,951
Step 3 $36,917 $1,419.88 $17.69 +$8,208
Step 4 $38,070 $1,464.23 $18.24 +$8,464
Step 5 $39,224 $1,508.62 $18.79 +$8,721
Step 6 $40,377 $1,552.96 $19.35 +$8,977
Step 7 $41,531 $1,597.35 $19.90 +$9,234
Step 8 $42,684 $1,641.69 $20.45 +$9,490
Step 9 $43,838 $1,686.08 $21.01 +$9,747
Step 10 $44,991 $1,730.42 $21.56 +$10,003
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $26,915
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $34,610
  • Locality add-on +$7,695
  • Adjustment percent 28.59%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $34,988
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $44,991

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-4 in CHICAGO: what to expect

Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.

For 2020, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.59% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.

Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in CHICAGO

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,331 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,730. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2020, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $34,610 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $44,991. This is 28.59% higher than the base GS-4 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,695 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in CHICAGO?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $1,331 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.