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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$63,633 GS-9 Step 1 in Chicago (2023)
$82,720 GS-9 Step 10 in Chicago (2023)
+$14,605 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2023 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $63,633 $2,447.42 $30.49 +$14,605
Step 2 $65,754 $2,529.00 $31.51 +$15,092
Step 3 $67,875 $2,610.58 $32.52 +$15,579
Step 4 $69,996 $2,692.15 $33.54 +$16,066
Step 5 $72,117 $2,773.73 $34.56 +$16,553
Step 6 $74,237 $2,855.27 $35.57 +$17,039
Step 7 $76,358 $2,936.85 $36.59 +$17,526
Step 8 $78,479 $3,018.42 $37.60 +$18,013
Step 9 $80,600 $3,100.00 $38.62 +$18,500
Step 10 $82,720 $3,181.54 $39.64 +$18,986
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $49,028
  • Chicago GS-9 Step 1 $63,633
  • Locality add-on +$14,605
  • Adjustment percent 29.79%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $63,734
  • Chicago GS-9 Step 10 $82,720

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-9 in Chicago: what to expect

Full performance for many professional and administrative careers, including management analysts, contract specialists, social workers and IT specialists.

For 2023, the Chicago pay area adds a 29.79% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-9 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A master's degree or equivalent graduate education, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level.

Promotion path. Career-ladder promotion to GS-11 after one year of specialized GS-9 experience.

The rough military equivalent for GS-9 is O-3 Captain, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-9 in Chicago

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $2,447 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,182. 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-9 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-9 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Chicago?
    In 2023, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $63,633 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $82,720. This is 29.79% higher than the base GS-9 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-9 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-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $14,605 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-9 in Chicago?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-9 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $2,447 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.