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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$76,990 GS-11 Step 1 in Chicago (2023)
$100,084 GS-11 Step 10 in Chicago (2023)
+$17,671 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-11 pay table for Chicago

Each step below already includes the 29.79% 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 $76,990 $2,961.15 $36.89 +$17,671
Step 2 $79,556 $3,059.85 $38.12 +$18,260
Step 3 $82,122 $3,158.54 $39.35 +$18,849
Step 4 $84,688 $3,257.23 $40.58 +$19,438
Step 5 $87,254 $3,355.92 $41.81 +$20,027
Step 6 $89,820 $3,454.62 $43.04 +$20,616
Step 7 $92,386 $3,553.31 $44.27 +$21,205
Step 8 $94,952 $3,652.00 $45.50 +$21,794
Step 9 $97,518 $3,750.69 $46.73 +$22,383
Step 10 $100,084 $3,849.38 $47.96 +$22,972
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $59,319
  • Chicago GS-11 Step 1 $76,990
  • Locality add-on +$17,671
  • Adjustment percent 29.79%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $77,112
  • Chicago GS-11 Step 10 $100,084

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 2023, the Chicago pay area adds a 29.79% 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 $2,961 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,849. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2023 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 2023, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $76,990 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $100,084. This is 29.79% 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 2023, it is 29.79%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,671 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 $2,961 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.