2026 GS-4 Pay in Chicago
GS-4 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 30.86% on top of the base GS-4 pay scale. That means a GS-4 Step 1 salary jumps from $31,103 on the base table to $40,701 in Chicago.
2026 GS-4 Pay in Chicago
Locality-adjusted GS-4 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $40,701 | $1,565.42 | $19.50 | +$9,598 |
| Step 2 | $42,058 | $1,617.62 | $20.15 | +$9,918 |
| Step 3 | $43,415 | $1,669.81 | $20.80 | +$10,238 |
| Step 4 | $44,772 | $1,722.00 | $21.45 | +$10,558 |
| Step 5 | $46,129 | $1,774.19 | $22.10 | +$10,878 |
| Step 6 | $47,486 | $1,826.38 | $22.75 | +$11,198 |
| Step 7 | $48,843 | $1,878.58 | $23.40 | +$11,518 |
| Step 8 | $50,201 | $1,930.81 | $24.05 | +$11,839 |
| Step 9 | $51,558 | $1,983.00 | $24.70 | +$12,159 |
| Step 10 | $52,915 | $2,035.19 | $25.35 | +$12,479 |
2026 GS-4 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-4 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $40,701 | $1,565.42 | $19.50 | +$9,598 |
| Step 2 | $42,058 | $1,617.62 | $20.15 | +$9,918 |
| Step 3 | $43,415 | $1,669.81 | $20.80 | +$10,238 |
| Step 4 | $44,772 | $1,722.00 | $21.45 | +$10,558 |
| Step 5 | $46,129 | $1,774.19 | $22.10 | +$10,878 |
| Step 6 | $47,486 | $1,826.38 | $22.75 | +$11,198 |
| Step 7 | $48,843 | $1,878.58 | $23.40 | +$11,518 |
| Step 8 | $50,201 | $1,930.81 | $24.05 | +$11,839 |
| Step 9 | $51,558 | $1,983.00 | $24.70 | +$12,159 |
| Step 10 | $52,915 | $2,035.19 | $25.35 | +$12,479 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Chicago pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-4 in Chicago: what to expect
Office assistants, supply and inventory clerks, entry-level technicians and program aides.
For 2026, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.86% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-4 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.
Qualifications and career path
Minimum qualifications. Two years of post-secondary education, an associate's degree, or one year of GS-3 equivalent experience.
Promotion path. Usually promoted to GS-5 after one year in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-4 is E-5 Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-4 in Chicago
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $1,565 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,035. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Chicago
GS-4 in Chicago questions
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How much does a GS-4 make in Chicago?
In 2026, a GS-4 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $40,701 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $52,915. This is 30.86% higher than the base GS-4 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-4 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-4 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $9,598 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-4 in Chicago?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-4 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $1,565 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.