2022 GS-15 Pay in Chicago
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 29.18% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $112,890 on the base table to $145,831 in Chicago.
2022 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 | $145,831 | $5,608.88 | $69.88 | +$32,941 |
| Step 2 | $150,692 | $5,795.85 | $72.21 | +$34,039 |
| Step 3 | $155,553 | $5,982.81 | $74.53 | +$35,137 |
| Step 4 | $160,414 | $6,169.77 | $76.86 | +$36,235 |
| Step 5 | $165,275 | $6,356.73 | $79.19 | +$37,333 |
| Step 6 | $170,137 | $6,543.73 | $81.52 | +$38,432 |
| Step 7 | $174,998 | $6,730.69 | $83.85 | +$39,530 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
2022 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $145,831 | $5,608.88 | $69.88 | +$32,941 |
| Step 2 | $150,692 | $5,795.85 | $72.21 | +$34,039 |
| Step 3 | $155,553 | $5,982.81 | $74.53 | +$35,137 |
| Step 4 | $160,414 | $6,169.77 | $76.86 | +$36,235 |
| Step 5 | $165,275 | $6,356.73 | $79.19 | +$37,333 |
| Step 6 | $170,137 | $6,543.73 | $81.52 | +$38,432 |
| Step 7 | $174,998 | $6,730.69 | $83.85 | +$39,530 |
| Step 8 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$37,069 |
| Step 9 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$33,306 |
| Step 10 | $176,300 | $6,780.77 | $84.48 | +$29,543 |
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 2022, the Chicago pay area adds a 29.18% 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 $5,609 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,781. 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-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 2022, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $145,831 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $176,300. This is 29.18% 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 2022, it is 29.18%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $32,941 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 $5,609 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.