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Performs safety and occupational health work including hazard identification, safety program management, and compliance enforcement.
2025 Base Pay (before locality adjustment)
| 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 |
Note: These are 2025 base pay rates. Most federal employees receive locality pay adjustments of 15-40%+ depending on location.
Official OPM qualification standards for GS-0018
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology.
OR
Experience:
GS-5: Experience in scientific or technical work that provided an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the safety and occupational health field. Creditable specialized experience may have been gained in safety engineering, safety inspection, occupational health, fire prevention, public health, industrial hygiene, accident investigation, or other fields related to safety and health.
Above GS-5: Specialized experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the full range of duties of the position. Examples include:
OR
Certificates: Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
| Grade | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree with major in safety/occupational health OR degree plus 24 semester hours in related fields | 3 years progressive experience with understanding of safety/occupational health principles |
| GS-7 | 1 year graduate education in safety/occupational health OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's in safety/occupational health | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. in safety/occupational health | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 |
| GS-12+ | N/A | 1 year specialized experience at next lower grade |
Step-by-step guide to landing a federal safety and occupational health management position
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
Match your years of experience and education to the appropriate GS grade. Generally: GS-5 (entry), GS-7/9 (junior), GS-11/12 (journey), GS-13+ (senior).
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
Create a detailed federal resume (2-5 pages) that addresses every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact info, and specific accomplishments.
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that transition to GS-0018
Direct path to Safety and Occupational Health Manager/Specialist positions.
Strong match for senior 74Ds. HAZMAT experience valued. Consider OSHA certifications to strengthen candidacy.
Safety and Occupational Health for environmental compliance.
💡 Tip: Your unique military experience may qualify you even if your MOS isn't listed.
Ability to plan, develop, and administer comprehensive safety programs.
Skill in identifying workplace hazards and conducting risk assessments.
Expert knowledge of OSHA standards and federal safety regulations.
Ability to investigate workplace accidents and determine root causes.
Skill in developing and delivering safety training programs.
Ability to conduct thorough workplace safety inspections.
Skill in analyzing safety statistics and identifying trends.
Ability to communicate safety requirements to all levels of an organization.
Skill in monitoring and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Knowledge of emergency response planning and procedures.
💡 Use these phrases to help ATS systems and human recruiters find your qualifications.
A GS-0018 Safety and Occupational Health Manager develops and administers workplace safety programs to protect federal employees and ensure OSHA compliance. These professionals conduct hazard analyses, investigate accidents, develop safety training, and implement policies that prevent workplace injuries across federal agencies.
Safety and Occupational Health Managers earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale, depending on grade level. Most full-performance positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034. Senior program managers at GS-14 can exceed $106,000 base pay plus locality adjustments.
GS-0018 positions require education and/or experience in safety management, industrial hygiene, or occupational health. Entry-level positions (GS-5/7) accept relevant degrees or general experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in safety program management, OSHA compliance, accident investigation, and risk assessment.
Yes, military safety experience translates directly to federal civilian safety positions. Ground Safety Officers, Aviation Safety Officers, Occupational Health NCOs, and unit safety representatives have applicable experience. Your training in risk management, mishap investigation, and safety program implementation demonstrates the competencies OPM requires for these positions.
The career ladder typically follows GS-5/7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level specialists conduct inspections and support programs, while GS-12/13 managers oversee agency-wide safety programs. Advancement to GS-14/15 leads to regional or headquarters safety director positions. Certifications like CSP (Certified Safety Professional) enhance advancement opportunities.
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Safety and Occupational Health' or '0018' series. Positions exist at virtually every federal agency. Your federal resume should emphasize specific safety program experience, OSHA knowledge, accident investigation skills, and any certifications. Veterans should highlight military safety training and any collateral duty safety assignments.
Create a tailored federal resume that meets OPM standards.