Home / Federal careers / GS-0105
Social Insurance Administration
Federal position administering social insurance programs including Social Security retirement, disability, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, and related federal benefit programs.
What GS-0105 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-0105, 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-0105
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
Personnel Specialist
Navy Personnel Specialists manage pay and benefits, which translates well to processing and interpreting social insurance claims.
Skills that carry over: Policy Interpretation, Customer Service, Claims Adjudication.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Personnel
Personnel specialists handle benefits and entitlements, providing a strong foundation for administering social insurance programs.
Skills that carry over: Program Knowledge, Claims Adjudication, Decision Making.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Human Resources Specialist
Human Resources Specialists have experience in processing personnel actions and interpreting military regulations, which aligns with the skills needed for social insurance administration.
Skills that carry over: Claims Adjudication, Policy Interpretation, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
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
- Administer social insurance programs
- Process benefit claims
- Interpret program regulations
- Manage program operations
- Coordinate with state agencies
Key competencies
Program Knowledge
Expert knowledge of social insurance programs and policies.
Claims Adjudication
Skill in determining eligibility and benefit amounts.
Policy Interpretation
Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations.
Customer Service
Skill in explaining program requirements to claimants.
Decision Making
Ability to make sound decisions based on evidence.
Case Management
Knowledge of managing claims from filing to resolution.
Appeals Processing
Understanding of administrative appeals procedures.
Fraud Detection
Skill in identifying potential fraud and improper payments.
Data Systems
Proficiency in claims processing and information systems.
Communication
Ability to communicate decisions clearly in writing.
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-0105
What is a Social Insurance Administrator?
A GS-0105 Social Insurance Administrator manages federal benefit programs including Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income. These specialists process claims, determine eligibility, explain benefits, and ensure accurate administration of America's largest social insurance programs.
How much does a Social Insurance Administrator make?
Social Insurance Administrators earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $98,422 (GS-12 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-9/11/12, earning $52,205-$98,422 annually. Senior claims specialists and supervisors can reach higher grades.
What are the requirements for GS-0105 positions?
Entry-level positions require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Higher grades need specialized experience in claims processing, eligibility determination, or program administration. Knowledge of Social Security regulations and ability to interpret complex policies is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0105?
Military experience with personnel administration, benefits processing, or customer service provides relevant foundation. Administrative specialists, personnel NCOs, and those who helped service members navigate benefits have transferable skills. Veterans also understand the importance of benefits administration from personal experience.
What is the career progression for Social Insurance Administrator?
Social Insurance Administrators progress from GS-5/7 (trainee) through GS-9/11 (claims specialist) to GS-12+ (senior specialist/supervisor). Career paths include technical specialist, management, and policy development. The Social Security Administration is the primary employer with offices nationwide.
How do I apply for GS-0105 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Social Insurance' or '0105' series. The Social Security Administration frequently hires for field offices across the country. Your federal resume should emphasize customer service, analytical skills, and ability to apply complex regulations. Strong communication skills are essential.
Ready to apply for GS-0105?
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.