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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$140,604 GS-14 Step 1 in Chicago (2026)
$182,790 GS-14 Step 10 in Chicago (2026)
+$33,158 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-14 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-14 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $140,604 $5,407.85 $67.37 +$33,158
Step 2 $145,291 $5,588.12 $69.62 +$34,263
Step 3 $149,979 $5,768.42 $71.86 +$35,369
Step 4 $154,666 $5,948.69 $74.11 +$36,474
Step 5 $159,353 $6,128.96 $76.36 +$37,579
Step 6 $164,041 $6,309.27 $78.60 +$38,685
Step 7 $168,728 $6,489.54 $80.85 +$39,790
Step 8 $173,416 $6,669.85 $83.09 +$40,896
Step 9 $178,103 $6,850.12 $85.34 +$42,001
Step 10 $182,790 $7,030.38 $87.59 +$43,106
← GS-13 Calculate my take-home GS-15 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Chicago pays

  • Base GS-14 Step 1 $107,446
  • Chicago GS-14 Step 1 $140,604
  • Locality add-on +$33,158
  • Adjustment percent 30.86%
  • Base GS-14 Step 10 $139,684
  • Chicago GS-14 Step 10 $182,790

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-14 in Chicago: what to expect

Supervisory managers, senior program leads and senior technical experts. Many agency branch chiefs sit at GS-14.

For 2026, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.86% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-14 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-13 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-15 is selective; many GS-14 employees reach this grade as a career peak.

The rough military equivalent for GS-14 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-14 in Chicago

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-14 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $5,408 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,030. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Chicago

GS-14 in Chicago questions

  • How much does a GS-14 make in Chicago?
    In 2026, a GS-14 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $140,604 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $182,790. This is 30.86% higher than the base GS-14 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-14 in Chicago?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Chicago in 2026, it is 30.86%. On a GS-14 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $33,158 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-14 in Chicago?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-14 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $5,408 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.