2024 GS-15 Pay in Chicago
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 30.41% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $123,041 on the base table to $160,458 in Chicago.
2024 GS-15 Pay in Chicago
Locality-adjusted GS-15 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $160,458 | $6,171.46 | $76.88 | +$37,417 |
| Step 2 | $165,806 | $6,377.15 | $79.45 | +$38,664 |
| Step 3 | $171,154 | $6,582.85 | $82.01 | +$39,911 |
| Step 4 | $176,502 | $6,788.54 | $84.57 | +$41,158 |
| Step 5 | $181,850 | $6,994.23 | $87.13 | +$42,405 |
| Step 6 | $187,198 | $7,199.92 | $89.70 | +$43,652 |
| Step 7 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$147,647 |
| Step 8 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$151,748 |
| Step 9 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$155,849 |
| Step 10 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$159,950 |
2024 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $160,458 | $6,171.46 | $76.88 | +$37,417 |
| Step 2 | $165,806 | $6,377.15 | $79.45 | +$38,664 |
| Step 3 | $171,154 | $6,582.85 | $82.01 | +$39,911 |
| Step 4 | $176,502 | $6,788.54 | $84.57 | +$41,158 |
| Step 5 | $181,850 | $6,994.23 | $87.13 | +$42,405 |
| Step 6 | $187,198 | $7,199.92 | $89.70 | +$43,652 |
| Step 7 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$147,647 |
| Step 8 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$151,748 |
| Step 9 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$155,849 |
| Step 10 | $0 | $0.00 | $91.95 | +-$159,950 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Chicago pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-15 in Chicago: what to expect
Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.
For 2024, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.41% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 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-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.
Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Chicago
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $6,171 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $0. 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-15 Chicago page.
Other grades in Chicago
GS-15 in Chicago questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Chicago?
In 2024, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $160,458 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $0. This is 30.41% higher than the base GS-15 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 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-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $37,417 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Chicago?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $6,171 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.