2026 GS-15 Pay in Chicago
GS-15 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 30.86% on top of the base GS-15 pay scale. That means a GS-15 Step 1 salary jumps from $126,384 on the base table to $165,386 in Chicago.
2026 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 | $165,386 | $6,361.00 | $79.25 | +$39,002 |
| Step 2 | $170,899 | $6,573.04 | $81.89 | +$40,302 |
| Step 3 | $176,412 | $6,785.08 | $84.53 | +$41,602 |
| Step 4 | $181,925 | $6,997.12 | $87.17 | +$42,902 |
| Step 5 | $187,439 | $7,209.19 | $89.81 | +$44,203 |
| Step 6 | $192,952 | $7,421.23 | $92.45 | +$45,503 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
2026 GS-15 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-15 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $165,386 | $6,361.00 | $79.25 | +$39,002 |
| Step 2 | $170,899 | $6,573.04 | $81.89 | +$40,302 |
| Step 3 | $176,412 | $6,785.08 | $84.53 | +$41,602 |
| Step 4 | $181,925 | $6,997.12 | $87.17 | +$42,902 |
| Step 5 | $187,439 | $7,209.19 | $89.81 | +$44,203 |
| Step 6 | $192,952 | $7,421.23 | $92.45 | +$45,503 |
| Step 7 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$45,538 |
| Step 8 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$41,325 |
| Step 9 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$37,112 |
| Step 10 | $197,200 | $7,584.62 | $94.49 | +$32,899 |
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 2026, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.86% 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 $6,361 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Chicago
GS-15 in Chicago questions
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How much does a GS-15 make in Chicago?
In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $165,386 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 30.86% 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 2026, it is 30.86%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $39,002 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 $6,361 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.