2023 GS-15 Pay in Chicago
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 29.79% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $117,518 on the base table to $152,527 in Chicago.
2023 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 | $152,527 | $5,866.42 | $73.08 | +$35,009 |
| Step 2 | $157,610 | $6,061.92 | $75.52 | +$36,175 |
| Step 3 | $162,694 | $6,257.46 | $77.96 | +$37,342 |
| Step 4 | $167,778 | $6,453.00 | $80.39 | +$38,509 |
| Step 5 | $172,862 | $6,648.54 | $82.83 | +$39,676 |
| Step 6 | $177,946 | $6,844.08 | $85.26 | +$40,843 |
| Step 7 | $183,030 | $7,039.62 | $87.70 | +$42,010 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
2023 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $152,527 | $5,866.42 | $73.08 | +$35,009 |
| Step 2 | $157,610 | $6,061.92 | $75.52 | +$36,175 |
| Step 3 | $162,694 | $6,257.46 | $77.96 | +$37,342 |
| Step 4 | $167,778 | $6,453.00 | $80.39 | +$38,509 |
| Step 5 | $172,862 | $6,648.54 | $82.83 | +$39,676 |
| Step 6 | $177,946 | $6,844.08 | $85.26 | +$40,843 |
| Step 7 | $183,030 | $7,039.62 | $87.70 | +$42,010 |
| Step 8 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$38,563 |
| Step 9 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$34,646 |
| Step 10 | $183,500 | $7,057.69 | $87.93 | +$30,729 |
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 2023, the Chicago pay area adds a 29.79% 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 $5,866 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,058. 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-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 2023, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $152,527 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $183,500. This is 29.79% 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 2023, it is 29.79%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $35,009 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 $5,866 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.