Federal GS Salary Calculator
Calculate Your Federal Salary
Determine your potential salary based on GS grade, step, and location.
Important: Federal salaries vary by geographic location and your experience level. The GS scale has 15 grades with 10 steps each. Entry-level positions typically start at GS-5 ($40,000), while senior roles can reach GS-15 ($150,000+).
Salary Results
Select your GS grade, step, and location to see your salary.
Getting hired by the US government isn’t like applying for a private company job. There’s no quick LinkedIn message or even a simple resume upload that guarantees an interview. The process is structured, slow, and full of paperwork-but it’s also one of the most stable career paths in the country. Over 2 million people work for the federal government, from park rangers in Alaska to cybersecurity analysts in Washington, D.C. And if you’re serious about landing one of these jobs, you need to play by their rules.
Start with USAJobs.gov
This is the only official website where you can apply for federal jobs. Everything else-third-party sites, recruiters, blogs-is just guidance. USAJobs.gov is where the federal government posts every open position, from entry-level clerks to senior executives. You’ll need to create an account, verify your identity, and fill out a detailed profile. Don’t skip this step. Many applicants get rejected not because they’re unqualified, but because their profile is incomplete.
When you search for jobs, use filters like grade level (GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, etc.), location, and job series. Job series are code names for job types, like 0340 for General Engineering or 2210 for Information Technology. Knowing the right series helps you find jobs you’re actually qualified for. If you’re unsure, look at job announcements from similar roles and copy their language.
Understand the GS Pay Scale
The federal government uses the General Schedule (GS) pay system. There are 15 grades, and each grade has 10 steps. A GS-5 entry-level job pays around $40,000 annually, while a GS-15 senior role can hit $150,000 or more, depending on location. Pay varies by geographic area-jobs in San Francisco or New York pay more than those in rural Nebraska.
Don’t assume your private-sector salary translates directly. The government pays based on job requirements, not your past earnings. If you’re coming from a corporate job making $80,000, you might start at GS-11 or GS-12. If you’re a recent graduate with no experience, you’ll likely start at GS-5 or GS-7. The key is matching your education and experience to the job announcement’s requirements.
Write a Federal-Style Resume
Your resume for a federal job can’t be the same one you use for a startup or bank. Federal resumes are longer-often 3 to 5 pages-and require specific details. You must include:
- Full legal name and contact info
- Work history with exact start and end dates (month/year)
- Job titles, employer names, and locations
- Hours worked per week for each job
- Specific duties and accomplishments
- Education details, including degrees, schools, and graduation dates
- Any certifications, licenses, or training
Use action verbs and quantify results. Instead of saying “Managed a team,” say “Supervised a team of 8 analysts, reducing processing time by 30% over 6 months.” The government cares about measurable outcomes.
Use the USAJobs resume builder. It’s clunky, but it auto-checks for missing fields and formats your resume to meet federal standards. You can also upload your own resume, but make sure it includes every required detail.
Answer the Questionnaire Honestly
Every federal job posting includes a series of questions you must answer. These aren’t trivia-they’re used to rank applicants. Some ask about your experience with specific software, like Microsoft Excel or SharePoint. Others ask if you’ve managed budgets, led teams, or handled classified information.
Don’t guess. If you’ve never worked with a system, don’t say you have. The government runs background checks and may test your skills during the interview. Lying on your application is grounds for immediate disqualification-and sometimes criminal charges.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when writing answers. For example: “In my previous role at XYZ Corp, I was tasked with improving data reporting (Situation). I created automated Excel dashboards (Action), which reduced monthly report generation time from 12 hours to 3 (Result).”
Apply Early and Track Everything
Most federal job openings close within 15 to 30 days, but some fill faster. Apply as soon as the job is posted. Applications are ranked using a “category rating” system: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, Qualified. Only the top tier gets interviewed.
Keep a spreadsheet of every job you apply for: job title, agency, closing date, application ID, and status. You’ll get automated emails, but they’re easy to miss. Set calendar reminders. Many applicants get overlooked simply because they didn’t follow up.
Prepare for the Interview
Interviews for federal jobs are usually structured. You’ll be asked the same questions as everyone else, and your answers are scored. Common questions include:
- Describe a time you handled a difficult coworker.
- How do you prioritize tasks when deadlines overlap?
- Give an example of when you improved a process.
Use the STAR method again. Be concise. Don’t ramble. Interviewers have 10 to 15 minutes per candidate. Practice out loud. Record yourself. Ask a friend to role-play.
Some roles require a panel interview with 3 to 5 people. Others include a writing test or technical exam. For IT jobs, expect coding challenges. For finance roles, you might need to analyze a budget scenario. Know what the job entails-and prepare accordingly.
Clear the Background Check
Almost every federal job requires a background investigation. The level depends on the position: Public Trust (low risk), Secret (medium), or Top Secret (high). You’ll fill out SF-86, a 127-page form asking about your past 10 years: addresses, employment, education, foreign contacts, financial history, and even arrests or drug use.
Be honest. Even small omissions-like a traffic ticket you forgot or a short-term job you didn’t list-can delay or kill your application. The government checks credit reports, criminal records, and even social media. If you’ve had financial trouble, explain it. If you’ve traveled abroad frequently, list all countries and purposes.
Don’t panic if your clearance takes months. It’s normal. Some roles take 6 to 12 months to clear. If you’re applying for a job with a long timeline, consider applying to multiple positions at once.
Don’t Give Up After a Rejection
Rejection is common. You might get a “not selected” notice without explanation. That doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. It could mean someone else scored higher on the questionnaire or had slightly more experience.
Request feedback. You’re legally entitled to it. Send an email to the agency’s HR office. Ask: “Can you provide feedback on why I was not selected?” Most will respond within 10 business days. Use that feedback to improve your next application.
Apply to multiple agencies. The Department of Defense, HHS, VA, and DHS hire thousands each year. Don’t fixate on one agency. Your best chance might be a lesser-known bureau like the National Archives or the Federal Aviation Administration.
Use Veterans’ Preference If You Qualify
If you’re a veteran, you get hiring preference. This means your application is placed at the top of the Best Qualified list. You don’t need to be a combat veteran-anyone who served on active duty and was honorably discharged qualifies.
You must submit a DD-214 form and, if applicable, a VA letter proving disability. Even if you’re not a veteran, having military experience helps. The government values discipline, structure, and leadership.
Stay Updated on Hiring Trends
In 2026, the government is hiring heavily in cybersecurity, data analytics, climate science, and public health. Jobs in AI ethics, digital accessibility, and climate resilience are growing fast. If you have skills in these areas, highlight them.
Also, remote work is more common now. Many agencies allow hybrid or fully remote roles, especially in IT and administrative positions. But don’t assume every job lets you work from home. Always check the location and telework policy in the job announcement.
Follow agencies on LinkedIn. Subscribe to their newsletters. Join federal job forums like FedJobs.net or Reddit’s r/federaljobs. The best tips come from people who’ve been through the process.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Getting hired by the US government takes time. The average hiring cycle is 6 to 12 months. Some take longer. But once you’re in, you get benefits most private-sector jobs don’t offer: health insurance that covers 70% of premiums, retirement pensions, paid leave, and job security.
If you’re patient, thorough, and detail-oriented, you’ll get there. Don’t treat it like a job hunt. Treat it like a project. Track your progress. Learn from every rejection. Keep applying. The federal government needs good people-and if you follow the steps, you’ll be one of them.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get a federal job?
Yes, almost all federal jobs require U.S. citizenship. There are rare exceptions for certain scientific or academic roles under specific programs, but these are extremely limited. If you’re not a citizen, you cannot legally apply for a standard federal position.
Can I apply for federal jobs if I live outside the U.S.?
Yes, you can apply from anywhere in the world-but you must be eligible to work in the U.S. That means you need U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (a green card). If you’re living abroad and don’t have either, your application will be rejected during the eligibility check.
How long does a federal background check take?
It varies. A Public Trust check can take 2 to 4 months. A Secret clearance usually takes 4 to 8 months. Top Secret clearances can take 8 to 18 months. Delays happen if you’ve lived overseas, had financial issues, or didn’t provide complete documentation. Start early and be thorough.
Is there an age limit for applying to federal jobs?
No, there is no upper age limit. You can apply at any age as long as you meet the qualifications. The only age restriction is that you must be at least 18 years old for most positions. Some roles, like law enforcement, have mandatory retirement ages, but those are rare and clearly stated in the job announcement.
What’s the difference between a GS job and a Schedule A appointment?
GS jobs are the standard competitive service positions filled through USAJobs. Schedule A is a special hiring authority for people with disabilities, veterans with service-connected disabilities, or certain PhD holders. It allows agencies to hire without going through the full competitive process. Schedule A appointments are faster but harder to qualify for.