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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$73,611 GS-11 Step 1 in Chicago (2022)
$95,689 GS-11 Step 10 in Chicago (2022)
+$16,628 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2022 GS-11 pay table for Chicago

Each step below already includes the 29.18% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-11 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $73,611 $2,831.19 $35.27 +$16,628
Step 2 $76,064 $2,925.54 $36.45 +$17,182
Step 3 $78,517 $3,019.88 $37.62 +$17,736
Step 4 $80,970 $3,114.23 $38.80 +$18,290
Step 5 $83,423 $3,208.58 $39.97 +$18,844
Step 6 $85,876 $3,302.92 $41.15 +$19,398
Step 7 $88,329 $3,397.27 $42.32 +$19,952
Step 8 $90,783 $3,491.65 $43.50 +$20,507
Step 9 $93,236 $3,586.00 $44.67 +$21,061
Step 10 $95,689 $3,680.35 $45.85 +$21,615
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $56,983
  • Chicago GS-11 Step 1 $73,611
  • Locality add-on +$16,628
  • Adjustment percent 29.18%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $74,074
  • Chicago GS-11 Step 10 $95,689

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-11 in Chicago: what to expect

Full performance for most professional careers: budget analysts, program managers, engineers, IT specialists and criminal investigators.

For 2022, the Chicago pay area adds a 29.18% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-11 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level.

Promotion path. Typical career ladder peak for entry-level hires; competitive promotion to GS-12 requires vacancy and supervisory selection.

The rough military equivalent for GS-11 is O-4 Major, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-11 in Chicago

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $2,831 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,680. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2022 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-11 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-11 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-11 make in Chicago?
    In 2022, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $73,611 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $95,689. This is 29.18% higher than the base GS-11 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-11 in Chicago?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Chicago in 2022, it is 29.18%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $16,628 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-11 in Chicago?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-11 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $2,831 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.