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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$115,439 GS-13 Step 1 in Chicago (2024)
$150,075 GS-13 Step 10 in Chicago (2024)
+$26,919 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-13 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-13 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $115,439 $4,439.96 $55.31 +$26,919
Step 2 $119,287 $4,587.96 $57.16 +$27,816
Step 3 $123,136 $4,736.00 $59.00 +$28,714
Step 4 $126,984 $4,884.00 $60.85 +$29,611
Step 5 $130,833 $5,032.04 $62.69 +$30,509
Step 6 $134,681 $5,180.04 $64.53 +$31,406
Step 7 $138,529 $5,328.04 $66.38 +$32,303
Step 8 $142,378 $5,476.08 $68.22 +$33,201
Step 9 $146,226 $5,624.08 $70.07 +$34,098
Step 10 $150,075 $5,772.12 $71.91 +$34,996
← GS-12 Calculate my take-home GS-14 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-13 Step 1 $88,520
  • Chicago GS-13 Step 1 $115,439
  • Locality add-on +$26,919
  • Adjustment percent 30.41%
  • Base GS-13 Step 10 $115,079
  • Chicago GS-13 Step 10 $150,075

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-13 in Chicago: what to expect

Senior specialists, first-line supervisors and subject-matter experts. Many IT, acquisition, legal and program-manager roles live at GS-13.

For 2024, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.41% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-13 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-12 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-14 requires a GS-14 vacancy, often with supervisory responsibilities.

The rough military equivalent for GS-13 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-13 in Chicago

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $4,440 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $5,772. 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-13 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-13 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-13 make in Chicago?
    In 2024, a GS-13 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $115,439 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $150,075. This is 30.41% higher than the base GS-13 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-13 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-13 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $26,919 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-13 in Chicago?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-13 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $4,440 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.