2026 GS-6 Pay in Chicago
GS-6 employees with a duty station in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI earn 30.86% on top of the base GS-6 pay scale. That means a GS-6 Step 1 salary jumps from $38,791 on the base table to $50,762 in Chicago.
2026 GS-6 Pay in Chicago
Locality-adjusted GS-6 rates for Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $50,762 | $1,952.38 | $24.32 | +$11,971 |
| Step 2 | $52,454 | $2,017.46 | $25.13 | +$12,370 |
| Step 3 | $54,146 | $2,082.54 | $25.94 | +$12,769 |
| Step 4 | $55,838 | $2,147.62 | $26.76 | +$13,168 |
| Step 5 | $57,530 | $2,212.69 | $27.57 | +$13,567 |
| Step 6 | $59,222 | $2,277.77 | $28.38 | +$13,966 |
| Step 7 | $60,914 | $2,342.85 | $29.19 | +$14,365 |
| Step 8 | $62,606 | $2,407.92 | $30.00 | +$14,764 |
| Step 9 | $64,298 | $2,473.00 | $30.81 | +$15,163 |
| Step 10 | $65,990 | $2,538.08 | $31.62 | +$15,562 |
2026 GS-6 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-6 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $50,762 | $1,952.38 | $24.32 | +$11,971 |
| Step 2 | $52,454 | $2,017.46 | $25.13 | +$12,370 |
| Step 3 | $54,146 | $2,082.54 | $25.94 | +$12,769 |
| Step 4 | $55,838 | $2,147.62 | $26.76 | +$13,168 |
| Step 5 | $57,530 | $2,212.69 | $27.57 | +$13,567 |
| Step 6 | $59,222 | $2,277.77 | $28.38 | +$13,966 |
| Step 7 | $60,914 | $2,342.85 | $29.19 | +$14,365 |
| Step 8 | $62,606 | $2,407.92 | $30.00 | +$14,764 |
| Step 9 | $64,298 | $2,473.00 | $30.81 | +$15,163 |
| Step 10 | $65,990 | $2,538.08 | $31.62 | +$15,562 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Chicago pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-6 in Chicago: what to expect
Experienced technicians and mid-level administrative support, including contract specialists, paralegals, medical technicians and HR specialists.
For 2026, the Chicago pay area adds a 30.86% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-6 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-5 level, or a master's degree for some series.
Promotion path. Promoted to GS-7 after one year of creditable experience in the grade.
The rough military equivalent for GS-6 is O-1 Second Lieutenant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-6 in Chicago
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $1,952 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,538. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Chicago
GS-6 in Chicago questions
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How much does a GS-6 make in Chicago?
In 2026, a GS-6 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns $50,762 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $65,990. This is 30.86% higher than the base GS-6 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-6 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-6 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $11,971 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-6 in Chicago?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-6 Step 1 employee in Chicago earns roughly $1,952 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.