An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$46,815 GS-6 Step 1 in Chicago (2023)
$60,856 GS-6 Step 10 in Chicago (2023)
+$10,745 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-6 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-6 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $46,815 $1,800.58 $22.43 +$10,745
Step 2 $48,375 $1,860.58 $23.18 +$11,103
Step 3 $49,935 $1,920.58 $23.93 +$11,461
Step 4 $51,495 $1,980.58 $24.67 +$11,819
Step 5 $53,056 $2,040.62 $25.42 +$12,178
Step 6 $54,616 $2,100.62 $26.17 +$12,536
Step 7 $56,176 $2,160.62 $26.92 +$12,894
Step 8 $57,736 $2,220.62 $27.66 +$13,252
Step 9 $59,296 $2,280.62 $28.41 +$13,610
Step 10 $60,856 $2,340.62 $29.16 +$13,968
← GS-5 Calculate my take-home GS-7 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-6 Step 1 $36,070
  • Chicago GS-6 Step 1 $46,815
  • Locality add-on +$10,745
  • Adjustment percent 29.79%
  • Base GS-6 Step 10 $46,888
  • Chicago GS-6 Step 10 $60,856

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-6 in Chicago: what to expect

Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.

For 2023, the Chicago pay area adds a 29.79% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Chicago

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $1,801 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,341. 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-6 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-6 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-6 make in Chicago?
    In 2023, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $46,815 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $60,856. This is 29.79% higher than the base GS-6 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,745 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Chicago?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $1,801 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.