Home / Federal careers / GS-0132
Intelligence
Performs intelligence work including collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence information.
What GS-0132 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-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-0132, as written.
Intelligence Series Requirements
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in international relations, political science, history, area studies, or related field
- GS-7: 1 full year of graduate-level education OR bachelor's with Superior Academic Achievement
- GS-9: Master's degree or 2 full years of progressively higher graduate education
- GS-11: Ph.D. or 3 full years of progressively higher graduate education
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: 3 years of progressively responsible general experience
- GS-7 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Special Requirements:
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI access
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- May require polygraph examination
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-0132
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
Targeting Analyst
Target development.
Skills that carry over: Targeting, Intelligence, Analysis, Planning, Coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Cryptologic Warfare Officer
Cryptologic expertise. Highlight SIGINT, information warfare, and intelligence operations.
Skills that carry over: SIGINT, Information Warfare, Intelligence Operations, Leadership, Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-13, GS-14, GS-15.
Human Intelligence Officer
HUMINT expertise. Highlight intelligence collection, analysis, and operations management.
Skills that carry over: Intelligence Collection, Analysis, Operations Management, Reporting, Security.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
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
- Collect intelligence information
- Analyze intelligence data
- Prepare intelligence reports
- Brief decision makers
- Coordinate with intelligence agencies
- Assess threats and risks
Key competencies
Intelligence Analysis
Ability to analyze and interpret intelligence information.
Critical Thinking
Skill in evaluating sources and assessing reliability.
Research Skills
Ability to collect and synthesize information from multiple sources.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing clear, concise intelligence products.
Subject Matter Expertise
Knowledge of specific topics, regions, or threats.
Analytical Tools
Proficiency in intelligence analysis software and databases.
Communication
Ability to brief policymakers and intelligence consumers.
Security Awareness
Understanding of classification and information security.
Collaboration
Skill in working with intelligence community partners.
Objectivity
Ability to provide unbiased assessments despite policy pressures.
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-0132
What is an Intelligence Specialist?
A GS-0132 Intelligence Specialist collects, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence information to support national security. These professionals work across the Intelligence Community including CIA, DIA, NSA, FBI, and military intelligence agencies, producing assessments that inform policy and operations.
How much does a federal Intelligence Specialist make?
Intelligence Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $162,672 (GS-15 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually. Senior analysts at GS-14/15 can exceed $106,000-$162,000 plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0132 positions?
GS-0132 positions require education and/or experience in intelligence, international affairs, or related analytical fields. Entry-level positions (GS-7/9) accept degrees plus some experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in intelligence collection, analysis, or operations. TS/SCI clearance is typically required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0132?
Yes, military intelligence experience is highly valued. 35-series MOS (Army), Intelligence Specialists (Navy), Intel Officers, and cryptologic professionals have directly transferable skills. Your experience with intelligence systems, analysis methodologies, and security procedures provides excellent preparation. Existing clearances are a major advantage.
What is the career progression for Intelligence Specialist?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13/14/15 intervals. Entry-level analysts support collection and analysis. GS-12/13 analysts lead analytical teams or specialized areas. GS-14/15 positions involve senior analysis, branch management, or program leadership within the Intelligence Community.
How do I apply for GS-0132 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Intelligence' or '0132' series, and check agency-specific sites like CIA.gov and NSA.gov. Your federal resume should detail specific intelligence experience, analytical methodologies, clearance levels, and language skills. Maintain your security clearance during transition for maximum competitiveness.
Ready to apply for GS-0132?
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.