Home / Federal careers / GS-0006
Correctional Institution Administration
Manages operations and administration of correctional facilities including budget, personnel, and inmate programs.
What GS-0006 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0006, as written.
Basic Requirements
Education: Bachelor's degree or higher with major study in correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or other fields related to the position.
OR
Experience (GS-5): Responsible experience in dealing with people that demonstrated the ability to work effectively with inmates and associates in a correctional environment. This may include work in correctional institutions, crime prevention programs, or roles involving extensive interpersonal contact for rehabilitation or instruction purposes.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0006
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Correction and Detention Specialist
GS-0006 Correctional Institution Administration covers case-management, unit-management, and facility-administration roles that align with brig programs and operations billets.
Skills that carry over: Case management, Facility administration, Inmate program coordination, Compliance and reporting.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Manage correctional facility operations
- Oversee inmate programs and services
- Develop and implement security policies
- Coordinate staff training and development
- Manage facility budgets and resources
Key competencies
Security Management
Ability to maintain institutional security and manage inmate populations safely.
Leadership
Skill in directing correctional staff and maintaining effective operations.
Crisis Management
Ability to respond effectively to institutional emergencies and disturbances.
Decision Making
Skill in making sound judgments under pressure in correctional settings.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively with staff, inmates, and outside agencies.
Interpersonal Skills
Skill in dealing tactfully with diverse populations including inmates and their families.
Program Administration
Knowledge of rehabilitation, treatment, and training programs.
Policy Development
Ability to develop and implement correctional policies and procedures.
Staff Development
Skill in training, evaluating, and developing correctional personnel.
Legal Compliance
Knowledge of laws, regulations, and court orders affecting corrections.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0006
What is a Correctional Institution Administrator?
A GS-0006 Correctional Institution Administrator is a federal management position responsible for overseeing the operations of federal correctional facilities. These professionals manage budgets, personnel, inmate programs, and security policies at Bureau of Prisons facilities across the United States.
How much does a federal Correctional Institution Administrator make?
Federal Correctional Institution Administrators typically earn between $75,706 (GS-12 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) annually under the 2025 GS pay scale. Senior administrators at GS-14/15 levels can earn over $125,000. Actual pay varies based on locality adjustments, which can add 15-30% in high-cost areas.
What are the requirements for GS-0006 positions?
GS-0006 positions require a combination of education and experience in correctional administration, criminal justice, or related fields. At higher grades, candidates need progressively more specialized experience in facility management, security operations, and inmate program administration. No specific degree is required, but relevant education can substitute for some experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0006?
Yes, military experience is highly valued for Correctional Institution Administrator positions. Military police, corrections, security forces, and leadership experience directly translates to this field. Veterans with supervisory experience managing personnel, security operations, or facility management can qualify at various grade levels based on their military background.
What is the career progression for Correctional Institution Administrator?
Career progression typically starts at GS-9/11 for entry-level administrators, advancing to GS-12/13 for mid-level facility management roles. Senior positions like Warden reach GS-14/15 or Senior Executive Service. The Bureau of Prisons offers structured career ladders with opportunities for advancement through demonstrated leadership and completion of management training programs.
How do I apply for GS-0006 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Correctional Institution Administration' or '0006' series positions. Ensure your federal resume details your supervisory experience, security management background, and any corrections-related training. Veterans should claim their 5 or 10-point preference and include their DD-214. Most positions require background investigations and may have age requirements.
Ready to apply for GS-0006?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.