Home / Federal careers / GS-0060
Chaplain
Federal chaplain position providing spiritual guidance, religious services, pastoral counseling, and moral support to military personnel, veterans, and federal employees at government facilities.
What GS-0060 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-0060, as written.
Chaplain Series Individual Occupational Requirements
Basic Requirements: All applicants must possess:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- A graduate degree in theology, divinity, religious studies, or equivalent professional degree from an accredited theological seminary or school of theology
- Ecclesiastical endorsement from an endorsing organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board or equivalent endorsing body
- Ordination or equivalent clergy status from a recognized religious body
Education:
- Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree is typically required
- 72+ semester hours of graduate theological education is standard
Special Requirements:
- Must maintain active ecclesiastical endorsement throughout federal service
- Must be ordained clergy or equivalent in their faith tradition
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.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0060
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
Chaplain Corps Officer
Military chaplaincy. Highlight chaplaincy, counseling, and spiritual support.
Skills that carry over: Chaplaincy, Counseling, Spiritual Support, Crisis Intervention, Leadership.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Chaplain
Military chaplaincy. Highlight chaplaincy, counseling, and spiritual support.
Skills that carry over: Chaplaincy, Counseling, Spiritual Support, Crisis Intervention, Leadership.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Chaplain
Direct translation to federal chaplain positions. Highlight counseling, religious programs, and pastoral care.
Skills that carry over: Counseling, Religious Programs, Pastoral Care, Crisis Support, Community Outreach.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
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 religious services and ceremonies
- Provide spiritual counseling
- Support personnel and families during crises
- Coordinate religious programs
- Advise leadership on religious matters
Key competencies
Pastoral Care
Ability to provide spiritual support, counseling, and guidance.
Religious Services
Skill in conducting worship services, ceremonies, and observances.
Crisis Intervention
Ability to provide spiritual support during crises and emergencies.
Interfaith Ministry
Skill in ministering to diverse faith traditions with sensitivity.
Counseling
Ability to provide pastoral counseling for personal and family issues.
Grief Support
Skill in providing comfort and support during bereavement.
Confidentiality
Understanding of privileged communication requirements.
Ethical Practice
Knowledge of professional chaplaincy ethics and standards.
Program Development
Ability to develop religious education and spiritual programs.
Cultural Competence
Skill in working with diverse populations and respecting beliefs.
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-0060
What is a Federal Chaplain?
A GS-0060 Chaplain provides spiritual guidance, religious services, and pastoral counseling to military personnel, veterans, and federal employees. Federal chaplains serve at military installations, VA hospitals, federal prisons, and other government facilities, supporting people of all faiths and backgrounds.
How much does a federal Chaplain make?
Federal Chaplains typically earn between $63,163 (GS-11 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Senior chaplains and supervisory positions can reach GS-14/15. Military chaplains transitioning to civilian roles often enter at comparable grades to their prior rank.
What are the requirements for GS-0060 positions?
GS-0060 positions have a positive education requirement: candidates must have a master's degree in divinity, theology, or equivalent from an accredited institution. Additionally, chaplains must be ordained or credentialed by a recognized religious organization and have completed clinical pastoral education.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0060?
For Chaplain positions, military chaplain experience is directly applicable but cannot substitute for the required theological education and ordination. However, military chaplains already have these credentials and can transition seamlessly to VA, BOP, or civilian federal chaplain positions at competitive grades.
What is the career progression for Chaplain?
Federal chaplains typically enter at GS-11/12 and progress to GS-13/14 with experience. Senior positions include Chief Chaplain at major facilities, Regional Chaplain, and national program leadership roles. The VA and Bureau of Prisons have the largest civilian chaplain programs with structured career ladders.
How do I apply for GS-0060 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Chaplain' or '0060' series. Major employers include VA Medical Centers and Bureau of Prisons. Your federal resume should emphasize pastoral counseling experience, clinical pastoral education units, denominational credentials, and experience with diverse populations. Military chaplains should highlight their service background.
Ready to apply for GS-0060?
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.