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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$80,994 GS-11 Step 1 in Chicago (2024)
$105,289 GS-11 Step 10 in Chicago (2024)
+$18,887 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-11 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-11 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $80,994 $3,115.15 $38.81 +$18,887
Step 2 $83,693 $3,218.96 $40.10 +$19,516
Step 3 $86,393 $3,322.81 $41.40 +$20,146
Step 4 $89,092 $3,426.62 $42.69 +$20,775
Step 5 $91,792 $3,530.46 $43.98 +$21,405
Step 6 $94,491 $3,634.27 $45.28 +$22,034
Step 7 $97,191 $3,738.12 $46.57 +$22,664
Step 8 $99,890 $3,841.92 $47.86 +$23,293
Step 9 $102,590 $3,945.77 $49.16 +$23,923
Step 10 $105,289 $4,049.58 $50.45 +$24,552
← GS-10 Calculate my take-home GS-12 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-11 Step 1 $62,107
  • Chicago GS-11 Step 1 $80,994
  • Locality add-on +$18,887
  • Adjustment percent 30.41%
  • Base GS-11 Step 10 $80,737
  • Chicago GS-11 Step 10 $105,289

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 2024, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.41% 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 $3,115 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $4,050. 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-11 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-11 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-11 make in Chicago?
    In 2024, a GS-11 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $80,994 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $105,289. This is 30.41% 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 2024, it is 30.41%. On a GS-11 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $18,887 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 $3,115 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.