GS-1 is the entry-level grade of the federal General Schedule pay system. These positions typically require no prior experience or specialized educati...
GS-2 positions involve routine clerical and support work requiring minimal experience. Employees at this level perform repetitive tasks following esta...
GS-3 employees perform clerical and technical work with some variety and independence. This grade typically requires a high school diploma or equivale...
GS-4 is a pre-professional grade involving more complex clerical or technical duties. Employees may begin to apply specialized knowledge or complete i...
GS-5 marks the entry level for many professional and technical career tracks, typically requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. This i...
GS-6 positions require a higher level of technical expertise than GS-5, often involving specialized tasks in a particular field. This grade bridges th...
GS-7 is the typical entry grade for professionals with a bachelor's degree and superior academic achievement or one year of graduate study. Employees ...
GS-8 is a less common grade that serves as a bridge between GS-7 and GS-9 for certain occupational series, particularly in technical and support field...
GS-9 is the standard entry grade for professionals with a master's degree or two years of progressively responsible experience. Employees work with in...
GS-10 is another transitional grade used primarily in certain technical and specialized series. It bridges GS-9 and GS-11 for occupations that require...
GS-11 represents the full-performance level for many professional positions, requiring a PhD or three years of specialized experience. Employees indep...
GS-12 is a senior professional grade requiring substantial specialized experience. Employees handle complex projects, lead teams, and make independent...
GS-13 is a senior-level grade for experienced professionals who serve as subject matter experts, program managers, or supervisors. These positions inv...
GS-14 positions are senior management and expert-level roles responsible for directing major programs, managing large teams, or serving as top technic...
GS-15 is the highest grade in the General Schedule, reserved for top managers, leading experts, and senior officials. These positions direct major org...
The Senior Executive Service (SES) sits above the General Schedule and encompasses the top leadership positions in the federal government. SES members...
GS Grades and Government Contracting
The General Schedule pay scale directly impacts federal contracting through labor category pricing. When agencies issue service contracts, they specify required experience levels using GS-equivalent grades. Contractors must price their labor categories in alignment with these grades while remaining competitive.
Key contracting vehicles like GSA Schedules, OASIS+, Alliant 3, and agency-specific BPAs all reference GS-equivalent labor categories. Understanding the salary ranges, typical roles, and experience requirements for each grade helps contractors build winning proposals with appropriately priced labor rates.
Salary ranges shown are 2024 base General Schedule rates (Step 1 through Step 10) before locality pay adjustments. Actual compensation varies by geographic area, with major metro areas receiving 16-44% above base pay.