Home / Federal careers / GS-0170
History
Federal historian position performing historical research, analysis, documentation, and preservation work at archives, museums, military history offices, and federal agencies.
What GS-0170 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-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 |
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-0170, as written.
Degree: history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
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-0170
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
Historian
3H0X1 maps directly to GS-0170 History, the series that staffs DoD and agency command history offices. Writing official histories is the same work. Often qualifies GS-9 to GS-11 with a history degree.
Skills that carry over: Primary-source research, Historical writing, Oral-history interviewing, Source synthesis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Public Affairs Specialist
Army Public Affairs Specialists often engage in historical research and documentation to support communication strategies, making them well-suited for historian roles.
Skills that carry over: Historical Research, Writing, Critical Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Public Affairs Specialist
Air Force Public Affairs Specialists often conduct research and create narratives, skills that are directly applicable to historian roles.
Skills that carry over: Historical Research, Writing, Critical Analysis.
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
- Conduct historical research
- Analyze historical documents
- Write historical narratives
- Preserve historical records
- Develop exhibits and programs
- Advise on historical matters
Key competencies
Historical Research
Ability to conduct original historical research.
Archival Skills
Knowledge of archival methods and primary source analysis.
Writing
Skill in preparing historical reports and publications.
Critical Analysis
Ability to evaluate historical evidence objectively.
Period Expertise
Expert knowledge of specific historical periods or topics.
Oral History
Skill in conducting and transcribing oral history interviews.
Preservation
Understanding of historical preservation principles.
Public History
Ability to present history to public audiences.
Documentation
Skill in documenting historical resources and artifacts.
Research Methods
Knowledge of historiographical methods and debates.
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-0170
What is a Federal Historian?
A GS-0170 Historian researches, analyzes, and documents historical events for federal agencies. These professionals work at military history offices, National Archives, Smithsonian, National Park Service, and agency history programs preserving America's heritage.
How much does a federal Historian make?
Federal Historians earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0170 positions?
GS-0170 positions require 18 semester hours in history plus additional coursework in a related discipline. Graduate degrees are common for advancement. Higher grades require progressively more specialized research and publication experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0170?
Military experience cannot substitute for the required history education. However, military historians, those with military history degrees, and service members who documented unit histories have directly applicable backgrounds. Understanding military operations enriches historical research.
What is the career progression for Historian?
The career ladder follows GS-9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level historians conduct research support. GS-11/12 historians lead research projects. Senior positions involve directing historical programs, publishing, and advising leadership on historical matters.
How do I apply for GS-0170 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Historian' or '0170' series. Major employers include military service history offices, National Archives, and NPS. Your federal resume should highlight research experience, publications, archival skills, and subject matter expertise.
Ready to apply for GS-0170?
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.