GS Pay Calculator Chicago, IL 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI locality area. Covers the Chicagoland metro including Naperville and extends into Indiana and Wisconsin.
Chicago, IL Federal Pay at a Glance
GS-12 Step 5
$111,383
$4,284/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$132,449
$5,094/biweekly
Locality Rate
+28.53%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$197,200*
EL-IV cap
Chicago, IL Locality Pay in Context
The Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI locality rate of 28.53% ranks #7 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is one of the highest-paying localities, reflecting a significantly higher cost of labor compared to the national average. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers the Chicagoland metro including Naperville and extends into Indiana and Wisconsin.
Major federal employers in Chicago, IL include VA, IRS, FBI, EPA Region 5, USPS, Great Lakes Naval Station. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Chicago, IL but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Chicago, IL GS Pay Table 2026
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Chicago, IL locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $44,727 | $46,218 | $47,709 | $49,200 | $50,691 | $52,182 | $53,673 | $55,164 | $56,655 | $58,146 |
| GS-7 | $55,404 | $57,251 | $59,098 | $60,945 | $62,792 | $64,639 | $66,486 | $68,333 | $70,180 | $72,027 |
| GS-9 | $67,770 | $70,030 | $72,289 | $74,549 | $76,808 | $79,068 | $81,327 | $83,587 | $85,846 | $88,106 |
| GS-11 | $81,996 | $84,730 | $87,463 | $90,197 | $92,931 | $95,665 | $98,399 | $101,133 | $103,866 | $106,600 |
| GS-12 | $98,278 | $101,554 | $104,830 | $108,107 | $111,383 | $114,659 | $117,935 | $121,212 | $124,488 | $127,764 |
| GS-13 | $116,866 | $120,762 | $124,657 | $128,553 | $132,449 | $136,345 | $140,240 | $144,136 | $148,032 | $151,928 |
| GS-14 | $138,100 | $142,704 | $147,308 | $151,912 | $156,516 | $161,120 | $165,724 | $170,328 | $174,932 | $179,536 |
| GS-15 | $162,441 | $167,856 | $173,271 | $178,686 | $184,101 | $189,516 | $194,931 | $197,200* | $197,200* | $197,200* |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
Calculate Your Exact Chicago, IL Salary
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI locality area.
Calculate Your GS Pay
2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6
Locality: Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WIBase Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+28.53%)
$42,067
Total Annual
$189,516
Biweekly
$7,289
Hourly: $90.81
About GS Pay
- • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
- • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
- • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
- • 49 locality areas available
- • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
- • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances
How Chicago, IL Compares to Nearby Localities
| Position | Chicago, IL +28.53% | Milwaukee, WI +20.99% | Minneapolis, MN +24.56% | Detroit, MI +26.87% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $98,278 | $92,513 -$5,765 | $95,242 -$3,036 | $97,009 -$1,269 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $111,383 | $104,849 -$6,534 | $107,942 -$3,441 | $109,944 -$1,439 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $132,449 | $124,679 -$7,770 | $128,358 -$4,091 | $130,738 -$1,711 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $197,200* | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 | $197,200* $0 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Chicago, IL.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Detroit, MI earn $1,439 less per year than those in Chicago, IL, while those in Milwaukee, WI earn $6,534 less.
Career Salary Growth in Chicago, IL
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Chicago, IL locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Chicago, IL Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $55,404 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $67,770 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $81,996 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $104,830 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $132,449 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $179,536 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
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Complete GS Pay Guide 2026
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
Browse GS Pay by Locality
Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Chicago, IL
How much does a GS-12 make in Chicago, IL in 2026?
A GS-12 in the Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI locality area earns between $98,278 (Step 1) and $127,764 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 28.53% locality adjustment applied.
What is the locality pay percentage for Chicago, IL?
The Chicago, IL locality pay adjustment is 28.53% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.2853 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $111,383.
How does Chicago, IL federal pay compare to nearby areas?
Chicago, IL has a 28.53% locality rate. Nearby areas include Milwaukee, WI (20.99%), Minneapolis, MN (24.56%), Detroit, MI (26.87%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
What is the GS pay cap in Chicago, IL?
GS salaries in Chicago, IL are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 28.53% locality, GS-15 Step 10 hits this cap — the calculated amount would be higher, but is limited to $197,200.
Which federal agencies have offices in Chicago, IL?
Major federal employers in the Chicago, IL area include VA, IRS, FBI, EPA Region 5, USPS, Great Lakes Naval Station. Covers the Chicagoland metro including Naperville and extends into Indiana and Wisconsin.
How is locality pay determined?
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Chicago, IL area at 28.53% reflects the local cost of labor.