Home / Federal careers / GS-0019
Safety Technician
Federal position performing technical safety work including workplace inspections, hazard monitoring, safety equipment testing, and compliance support at federal facilities and job sites.
What GS-0019 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-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-0019, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0019:
Experience (Specialized Experience for GS-4 and above): Experience in identifying, preventing, or eliminating safety hazards in work methods or environmental conditions, or in safety training/promotion. This background should include practical knowledge of occupational and environmental hazards, survey methods, and control techniques. Relevant roles include biological technician, medical technician, engineering technician, fire prevention inspector, and environmental health worker.
Education Alternative:
- GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of courses in safety, fire prevention, industrial hygiene, psychology, engineering, or in the agricultural, biological, or physical sciences.
- GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects such as safety, fire prevention, industrial hygiene, or other directly related subjects.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
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-0019
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
Damage Control Chief
Safety technician.
Skills that carry over: Damage Control, Emergency Response.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12.
Damage Controlman
Safety Technician — inspection and compliance for fire safety, HAZMAT, and industrial safety programs.
Skills that carry over: Safety inspection, Fire inspection, HAZMAT compliance, Equipment testing.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Public Health
Safety Technician series. Entry-to-mid level safety inspection and program support roles at DoD and federal facilities.
Skills that carry over: Safety inspection, Program support, Hazard identification, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
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
- Conduct safety inspections
- Monitor workplace conditions
- Test safety equipment
- Maintain safety records
- Assist with accident investigations
- Support safety training
Key competencies
Safety Inspection
Ability to conduct workplace safety inspections and identify hazards.
Hazard Recognition
Skill in recognizing unsafe conditions and practices.
Testing Equipment
Ability to operate safety monitoring and testing equipment.
Documentation
Skill in maintaining safety records and preparing inspection reports.
Safety Standards
Knowledge of applicable OSHA and agency safety standards.
Corrective Actions
Ability to recommend and track corrective actions for hazards.
Training Support
Skill in assisting with safety training and awareness programs.
Personal Protective Equipment
Knowledge of PPE requirements and proper use.
Emergency Response
Understanding of emergency procedures and first aid.
Communication
Ability to explain safety requirements to workers and supervisors.
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-0019
What is a Safety Technician?
A GS-0019 Safety Technician provides technical support for federal workplace safety programs. These technicians conduct inspections, collect data, test safety equipment, monitor hazardous conditions, and assist safety specialists with accident investigations and compliance activities at federal facilities.
How much does a federal Safety Technician make?
Safety Technicians earn between $30,795 (GS-4 Step 1) and $67,865 (GS-9 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions fall in the GS-5/6/7 range, with full-performance technicians earning $38,407-$55,486 plus locality pay adjustments of 15-30% depending on location.
What are the requirements for GS-0019 positions?
Entry-level GS-4/5 positions require general experience or relevant education/training. Higher grades need progressively more specialized technical experience in safety inspections, hazard monitoring, or equipment testing. Knowledge of OSHA standards and safety procedures is essential at all levels.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0019?
Yes, military experience is excellent preparation for Safety Technician roles. Unit safety representatives, safety NCOs, hazmat handlers, and those with additional duty safety assignments have directly applicable experience. Military training in workplace safety, hazard identification, and compliance monitoring translates well to these federal positions.
What is the career progression for Safety Technician?
Safety Technicians typically progress from GS-4/5 (entry) through GS-7/8/9 (full performance). Strong technicians can advance to GS-0018 Safety and Occupational Health Specialist positions with additional education or experience. The technician track provides excellent foundation for a long-term federal safety career.
How do I apply for GS-0019 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Safety Technician' or '0019' series. These positions exist at military bases, VA hospitals, federal buildings, and other government facilities. Your federal resume should highlight hands-on safety experience, equipment knowledge, and inspection skills. Veterans should emphasize any safety-related military training or certifications.
Ready to apply for GS-0019?
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.