Home / Federal careers / GS-0185
Social Work
Performs professional social work including case management, counseling, and social services program administration.
What GS-0185 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 |
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-0185, as written.
Degree: social work. Must fulfill all of the requirements for the master's degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Master's degree with practicum: Applicants who complete all of the requirements for a master's degree in social work that included a practicum are eligible for GS-9.
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-0185
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
Mental Health Service
Social work pathway.
Skills that carry over: Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Patient Support, Documentation, Referrals.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Behavioral Health Technician
Social work pathway.
Skills that carry over: Behavioral Health, Patient Support, Crisis Intervention, Documentation, Group Support.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Special Forces Medical Sergeant
GS-0185 Social Worker applies for 18Ds who pursue masters-level clinical credentialing. Behavioral health and SOF reintegration billets at VA and DoD draw heavily from this background.
Skills that carry over: Crisis intervention, Veteran reintegration, Behavioral health assessment, Case management.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
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
- Provide case management services
- Counsel individuals and families
- Assess client needs
- Develop service plans
- Coordinate community resources
- Advocate for clients
Key competencies
Case Management
Ability to manage complex cases from intake to closure.
Clinical Assessment
Skill in assessing client needs and developing treatment plans.
Counseling
Ability to provide individual, group, and family counseling.
Crisis Intervention
Skill in responding to client crises effectively.
Resource Coordination
Knowledge of community resources and referral processes.
Documentation
Ability to maintain accurate case records and documentation.
Ethics
Understanding of social work ethics and professional standards.
Cultural Competence
Skill in working with diverse populations.
Advocacy
Ability to advocate for clients and their needs.
Collaboration
Skill in working with multidisciplinary teams.
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-0185
What is a Social Worker?
A GS-0185 Social Worker provides clinical social work services including counseling, case management, and crisis intervention. Federal social workers serve at VA hospitals, military treatment facilities, and agencies providing social services to veterans, service members, and their families.
How much does a federal Social Worker make?
Federal Social Workers earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most clinical positions are GS-11/12, earning $63,163-$98,422 annually. VA social workers may receive additional recruitment incentives.
What are the requirements for GS-0185 positions?
GS-0185 positions require a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program. Clinical positions require state licensure. Higher grades require progressively more specialized clinical experience and independent practice credentials.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0185?
Military experience cannot substitute for the required MSW degree. However, military social workers have directly transferable credentials. Veterans with social work degrees and experience in military family services, MFLC programs, or veteran services have relevant clinical backgrounds.
What is the career progression for Social Worker?
The career ladder follows GS-9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level social workers complete supervised practice. GS-11/12 social workers provide independent clinical services. Senior positions involve program management, specialty practice, and clinical supervision.
How do I apply for GS-0185 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Social Worker' or '0185' series. The VA is the largest employer. Your federal resume should detail clinical experience, licensure status, specialty areas, and populations served. CSWE accreditation status is verified.
Ready to apply for GS-0185?
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.