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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$34,956 GS-4 Step 1 in CHICAGO (2021)
$45,441 GS-4 Step 10 in CHICAGO (2021)
+$7,772 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 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 $34,956 $1,344.46 $16.75 +$7,772
Step 2 $36,121 $1,389.27 $17.31 +$8,031
Step 3 $37,286 $1,434.08 $17.87 +$8,290
Step 4 $38,451 $1,478.88 $18.42 +$8,549
Step 5 $39,616 $1,523.69 $18.98 +$8,808
Step 6 $40,781 $1,568.50 $19.54 +$9,067
Step 7 $41,946 $1,613.31 $20.10 +$9,326
Step 8 $43,111 $1,658.12 $20.66 +$9,585
Step 9 $44,276 $1,702.92 $21.22 +$9,844
Step 10 $45,441 $1,747.73 $21.77 +$10,103
← GS-3 Calculate my take-home GS-5 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more CHICAGO pays

  • Base GS-4 Step 1 $27,184
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 1 $34,956
  • Locality add-on +$7,772
  • Adjustment percent 28.59%
  • Base GS-4 Step 10 $35,338
  • CHICAGO GS-4 Step 10 $45,441

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 2021, 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 $1,344 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,748. 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-4 CHICAGO page.

Other grades in CHICAGO

GS-4 in CHICAGO questions

  • How much does a GS-4 make in CHICAGO?
    In 2021, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in CHICAGO earns $34,956 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $45,441. 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 2021, it is 28.59%. On a GS-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $7,772 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 $1,344 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.