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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$73,718 GS-10 Step 1 in Chicago (2024)
$95,830 GS-10 Step 10 in Chicago (2024)
+$17,190 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-10 pay table for Chicago

Each step below already includes the 30.41% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-10 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $73,718 $2,835.31 $35.32 +$17,190
Step 2 $76,175 $2,929.81 $36.50 +$17,763
Step 3 $78,632 $3,024.31 $37.68 +$18,336
Step 4 $81,089 $3,118.81 $38.85 +$18,909
Step 5 $83,546 $3,213.31 $40.03 +$19,482
Step 6 $86,003 $3,307.81 $41.21 +$20,055
Step 7 $88,460 $3,402.31 $42.39 +$20,628
Step 8 $90,917 $3,496.81 $43.56 +$21,201
Step 9 $93,374 $3,591.31 $44.74 +$21,774
Step 10 $95,830 $3,685.77 $45.92 +$22,346
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $56,528
  • Chicago GS-10 Step 1 $73,718
  • Locality add-on +$17,190
  • Adjustment percent 30.41%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $73,484
  • Chicago GS-10 Step 10 $95,830

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-10 in Chicago: what to expect

Senior technician and supervisory positions, and full-performance roles in a handful of occupations such as Border Patrol and IT.

For 2024, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.41% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-10 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-9 level, plus agency-specific requirements.

Promotion path. Promoted to GS-11 after one year of creditable experience in grade.

The rough military equivalent for GS-10 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-10 in Chicago

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $2,835 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,686. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2024 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-10 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-10 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-10 make in Chicago?
    In 2024, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $73,718 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $95,830. This is 30.41% higher than the base GS-10 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-10 in Chicago?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Chicago in 2024, it is 30.41%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,190 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-10 in Chicago?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-10 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $2,835 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.