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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$75,230 GS-10 Step 1 in Chicago (2025)
$97,796 GS-10 Step 10 in Chicago (2025)
+$17,741 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2025 GS-10 pay table for Chicago

Each step below already includes the 30.86% 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 $75,230 $2,893.46 $36.05 +$17,741
Step 2 $77,737 $2,989.88 $37.25 +$18,332
Step 3 $80,245 $3,086.35 $38.45 +$18,924
Step 4 $82,752 $3,182.77 $39.65 +$19,515
Step 5 $85,259 $3,279.19 $40.85 +$20,106
Step 6 $87,766 $3,375.62 $42.05 +$20,697
Step 7 $90,274 $3,472.08 $43.26 +$21,289
Step 8 $92,781 $3,568.50 $44.46 +$21,880
Step 9 $95,288 $3,664.92 $45.66 +$22,471
Step 10 $97,796 $3,761.38 $46.86 +$23,063
← GS-9 Calculate my take-home GS-11 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-10 Step 1 $57,489
  • Chicago GS-10 Step 1 $75,230
  • Locality add-on +$17,741
  • Adjustment percent 30.86%
  • Base GS-10 Step 10 $74,733
  • Chicago GS-10 Step 10 $97,796

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 2025, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.86% 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 $2,893 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,761. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2025 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 2025, a GS-10 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $75,230 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $97,796. This is 30.86% 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 2025, it is 30.86%. On a GS-10 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,741 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 $2,893 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.