📈 Pay Chart
Military to Federal Pay Chart 2025
What GS grade does your rank match? 2025 pay data by grade and step, locality pay multipliers by city, and how special federal pay systems compare to the General Schedule.
Build Federal ResumeWhat GS grade does your rank match? 2025 pay data by grade and step, locality pay multipliers by city, and how special federal pay systems compare to the General Schedule.
Build Federal ResumeOne of the most practical questions veterans ask when considering federal employment: "What GS grade matches my military rank?" While there is no exact conversion formula, this chart provides the general equivalency used by federal HR specialists, along with current pay data for salary negotiation.
| Military Rank | GS Equivalent | GS Pay Step 1 (2025) | GS Pay Step 5 (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 / E-2 / E-3 | GS-1 to GS-3 | $21,986 - $28,269 | $24,437 - $31,436 |
| E-4 | GS-4 to GS-5 | $31,753 - $35,373 | $35,279 - $39,302 |
| E-5 | GS-5 to GS-6 | $35,373 - $39,576 | $39,302 - $44,008 |
| E-6 | GS-6 to GS-8 | $39,576 - $48,678 | $44,008 - $54,119 |
| E-7 | GS-7 to GS-9 | $43,998 - $54,578 | $48,909 - $60,683 |
| E-8 | GS-9 to GS-11 | $54,578 - $66,634 | $60,683 - $74,091 |
| E-9 / CSM / SGM | GS-11 to GS-13 | $66,634 - $86,962 | $74,091 - $96,714 |
| W-1 / W-2 | GS-9 to GS-11 | $54,578 - $66,634 | $60,683 - $74,091 |
| W-3 / W-4 / W-5 | GS-11 to GS-13 | $66,634 - $86,962 | $74,091 - $96,714 |
| O-1 / O-2 | GS-7 to GS-9 | $43,998 - $54,578 | $48,909 - $60,683 |
| O-3 | GS-9 to GS-11 | $54,578 - $66,634 | $60,683 - $74,091 |
| O-4 | GS-11 to GS-12 | $66,634 - $79,689 | $74,091 - $88,596 |
| O-5 | GS-12 to GS-13 | $79,689 - $86,962 | $88,596 - $96,714 |
| O-6 | GS-13 to GS-15 | $86,962 - $123,041 | $96,714 - $136,823 |
| O-7 and above | GS-15 / SES | $123,041+ | $136,823+ |
Approximate 2025 Rest of U.S. (RUS) locality pay rates. High-cost areas like DC, San Francisco, and NYC pay 20-30% more. Check opm.gov for exact locality rates.
| Location | GS-12 Step 5 (2025 est.) |
|---|---|
| Washington DC / Northern Virginia / Maryland | ~$114,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | ~$122,000 |
| New York City | ~$115,000 |
| Seattle, WA | ~$112,000 |
| Rest of U.S. (baseline) | ~$97,000 |
Some agencies use alternative pay systems. Intelligence agencies (CIA, NSA, DIA) use internal pay bands often competitive with GS-15. SES replaces GS-15 at the executive level ($145,000-$235,000). Law enforcement positions (FBI, CBP, DEA) receive LEO premium pay on top of base GS rates. USPS uses its own system entirely.
Federal resumes must demonstrate specialized experience equivalent to the target GS grade. The Federal Resume Builder generates the correct format automatically.
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