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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$66,942 GS-9 Step 1 in Chicago (2024)
$87,024 GS-9 Step 10 in Chicago (2024)
+$15,610 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2024 GS-9 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-9 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $66,942 $2,574.69 $32.08 +$15,610
Step 2 $69,173 $2,660.50 $33.14 +$16,130
Step 3 $71,405 $2,746.35 $34.21 +$16,651
Step 4 $73,636 $2,832.15 $35.28 +$17,171
Step 5 $75,867 $2,917.96 $36.35 +$17,691
Step 6 $78,099 $3,003.81 $37.42 +$18,212
Step 7 $80,330 $3,089.62 $38.49 +$18,732
Step 8 $82,561 $3,175.42 $39.56 +$19,252
Step 9 $84,793 $3,261.27 $40.63 +$19,773
Step 10 $87,024 $3,347.08 $41.70 +$20,293
← GS-8 Calculate my take-home GS-10 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-9 Step 1 $51,332
  • Chicago GS-9 Step 1 $66,942
  • Locality add-on +$15,610
  • Adjustment percent 30.41%
  • Base GS-9 Step 10 $66,731
  • Chicago GS-9 Step 10 $87,024

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 2024, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.41% 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 $2,575 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,347. 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-9 Chicago page.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-9 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-9 make in Chicago?
    In 2024, a GS-9 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $66,942 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $87,024. This is 30.41% 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 2024, it is 30.41%. On a GS-9 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $15,610 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 $2,575 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.