2021 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 28.59% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $110,460 on the base table to $142,041 in CHICAGO.
2021 GS-15 Pay in CHICAGO
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $142,041 | $5,463.12 | $68.06 | +$31,581 |
| Step 2 | $146,775 | $5,645.19 | $70.33 | +$32,633 |
| Step 3 | $151,510 | $5,827.31 | $72.60 | +$33,686 |
| Step 4 | $156,245 | $6,009.42 | $74.87 | +$34,739 |
| Step 5 | $160,979 | $6,191.50 | $77.13 | +$35,791 |
| Step 6 | $165,714 | $6,373.62 | $79.40 | +$36,844 |
| Step 7 | $170,449 | $6,555.73 | $81.67 | +$37,897 |
| Step 8 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$36,266 |
| Step 9 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$32,584 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
2021 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $142,041 | $5,463.12 | $68.06 | +$31,581 |
| Step 2 | $146,775 | $5,645.19 | $70.33 | +$32,633 |
| Step 3 | $151,510 | $5,827.31 | $72.60 | +$33,686 |
| Step 4 | $156,245 | $6,009.42 | $74.87 | +$34,739 |
| Step 5 | $160,979 | $6,191.50 | $77.13 | +$35,791 |
| Step 6 | $165,714 | $6,373.62 | $79.40 | +$36,844 |
| Step 7 | $170,449 | $6,555.73 | $81.67 | +$37,897 |
| Step 8 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$36,266 |
| Step 9 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$32,584 |
| Step 10 | $172,500 | $6,634.62 | $82.65 | +$28,902 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more CHICAGO pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in CHICAGO: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2021, the CHICAGO pay area adds a 28.59% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in CHICAGO
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $5,463 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,635. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 CHICAGO page.
Other grades in CHICAGO
GS-15 in CHICAGO questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in CHICAGO?
In 2021, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $142,041 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $172,500. This is 28.59% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in CHICAGO?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For CHICAGO in 2021, it is 28.59%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $31,581 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in CHICAGO?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns roughly $5,463 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.