Home / Federal careers / GS-0142
Workforce Development
Federal position developing and managing workforce training programs, employment initiatives, and career development services for veterans, federal employees, and the public.
What GS-0142 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-0142, 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-0142
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
Recruiter
Army Recruiters develop and manage recruitment programs, which aligns well with workforce development roles.
Skills that carry over: Program Administration, Partnership Development, Training Design.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Navy Counselor
Navy Counselors manage career development and training programs, similar to workforce development roles.
Skills that carry over: Program Administration, Partnership Development, Training Design.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Career Counselor
Workforce Development covers federal and state employment-counseling roles that line up almost exactly with retention and transition counseling.
Skills that carry over: Employment counseling, Labor-market guidance, Job-search coaching, Program 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
- Develop workforce programs
- Coordinate job training
- Manage employment services
- Evaluate program effectiveness
- Partner with employers
Key competencies
Program Administration
Ability to administer workforce development programs.
WIOA Knowledge
Expert knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Partnership Development
Skill in building partnerships with employers and educators.
Labor Market Analysis
Ability to analyze labor market information and trends.
Training Design
Knowledge of training program design and evaluation.
Grant Management
Skill in managing workforce development grants.
Performance Measurement
Ability to track and report program outcomes.
Career Pathways
Understanding of career pathway development.
Customer Service
Skill in serving job seekers and employers.
Policy Development
Ability to develop workforce policies and 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-0142
What is a Workforce Development Specialist?
A GS-0142 Workforce Development Specialist develops and manages training programs, employment initiatives, and career services. These professionals help veterans, federal employees, and the public build skills and find employment through Department of Labor and other federal workforce programs.
How much does a Workforce Development Specialist make?
Workforce Development Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-9/11/12, earning $52,205-$98,422 annually plus locality adjustments of 15-30%.
What are the requirements for GS-0142 positions?
GS-0142 positions require education and/or experience in workforce development, human resources, education, or career counseling. Entry-level positions accept relevant degrees or experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in program management and workforce initiatives.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0142?
Military experience with training programs, transition assistance, career counseling, or education services is directly applicable. Those who worked in military transition programs, education centers, or training commands have relevant experience. Veterans bring firsthand understanding of workforce transition challenges.
What is the career progression for Workforce Development Specialist?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level specialists support program delivery. GS-11/12 specialists manage programs and develop initiatives. Senior positions involve program direction, policy development, and oversight of workforce development systems.
How do I apply for GS-0142 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Workforce Development' or '0142' series. Department of Labor, VA, and state workforce agencies hire these specialists. Your federal resume should highlight training program experience, career counseling skills, and knowledge of workforce development systems.
Ready to apply for GS-0142?
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.