Home / Federal careers / GS-0080
Security Administration
Performs security administration work including personnel security, physical security, and security program management.
What GS-0080 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 |
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-0080, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
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-0080
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
Physical Security Specialist
Direct translation to security administration positions.
Skills that carry over: physical security, security planning, vulnerability assessment, risk management.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Cybersecurity Technician
The risk-assessment and security-program side of 0689 maps to GS-0080 Security Administration, which covers information and physical security program management.
Skills that carry over: Risk assessment, Security policy, Program compliance, Accreditation.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Battle Management Operations
Security administration roles value the clearance plus operations-floor and SOC discipline. Strong fit for cleared physical and personnel security positions.
Skills that carry over: Security operations, Clearance management, Access control, Watch-floor coordination.
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 security programs
- Process security clearances
- Conduct security assessments
- Develop security policies
- Investigate security incidents
- Train personnel on security
Key competencies
Security Program Management
Ability to plan and administer comprehensive security programs.
Risk Assessment
Skill in identifying security vulnerabilities and assessing threats.
Policy Development
Ability to develop security policies, procedures, and standards.
Personnel Security
Knowledge of background investigation and clearance processes.
Physical Security
Understanding of facility security measures and access control.
Information Security
Knowledge of protecting classified and sensitive information.
Security Training
Ability to develop and deliver security awareness training.
Incident Response
Skill in investigating and responding to security incidents.
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of security regulations and requirements.
Emergency Planning
Understanding of continuity of operations and emergency procedures.
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-0080
What is a Security Administration Specialist?
A GS-0080 Security Administration Specialist manages security programs including personnel security clearances, physical security, information security, and industrial security. These professionals develop policies, conduct investigations, and ensure federal facilities and personnel meet security requirements.
How much does a federal Security Administration Specialist make?
Security Administration Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most full-performance positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually. Senior security managers can reach GS-14/15 levels.
What are the requirements for GS-0080 positions?
GS-0080 positions require education and/or experience in security administration, criminal justice, or related fields. Entry-level positions accept degrees or general experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in personnel security, industrial security, or security program management.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0080?
Yes, military security experience is highly valued. Security Forces, Intelligence, Military Police, and S-2/G-2 personnel have directly transferable skills. Experience with clearance processing, physical security, OPSEC, or information security translates directly. Veterans with TS/SCI clearances have significant advantages.
What is the career progression for Security Administration Specialist?
The career ladder follows GS-5/7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level specialists process clearances and conduct security reviews. GS-11/12 specialists manage programs and conduct investigations. GS-13/14/15 positions lead agency security programs. Many agencies have Security Officer positions at senior levels.
How do I apply for GS-0080 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Security Specialist' or '0080' series. Every federal agency has security positions. Your federal resume should detail clearance processing experience, NISPOM knowledge, physical security assessments, and any certifications. Maintain your security clearance during transition for maximum competitiveness.
Ready to apply for GS-0080?
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.