Home / Federal careers / GS-0190
General Anthropology
Performs professional anthropology work including research on human cultures, societies, and physical characteristics.
What GS-0190 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 |
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-0190, as written.
Degree: appropriate field of anthropology.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in an appropriate field of anthropology, or related course work, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
Experience: four years of appropriate experience in anthropology performing research, museum work, or similar professional-level work.
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-0190
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.
Typical duties
- Conduct anthropological research
- Study human cultures and societies
- Analyze archaeological findings
- Document cultural practices
- Prepare research reports
- Advise on cultural matters
Key competencies
Anthropological Research
Ability to conduct anthropological field research.
Cultural Analysis
Skill in analyzing cultural systems and practices.
Ethnography
Knowledge of ethnographic methods and documentation.
Report Writing
Ability to prepare anthropological reports and studies.
Cross-Cultural Skills
Understanding of cultural diversity and sensitivity.
Data Collection
Skill in collecting and preserving anthropological data.
Literature Review
Ability to synthesize anthropological literature.
Interviewing
Skill in conducting ethnographic interviews.
Preservation
Knowledge of cultural resource preservation.
Ethics
Understanding of anthropological ethics and informed consent.
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-0190
What is an Anthropologist?
A GS-0190 Anthropologist studies human cultures, societies, and biological development for federal agencies. Federal anthropologists work at Smithsonian, military commands, intelligence agencies, and land management agencies conducting cultural research.
How much does a federal Anthropologist make?
Anthropologists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 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-0190?
GS-0190 positions require 24 semester hours in anthropology plus additional coursework in related social sciences. Higher grades require progressively more specialized research and fieldwork experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0190?
Military experience cannot substitute for required anthropology education. However, veterans with anthropology degrees who served in civil affairs, human terrain, or cultural advisor roles have directly applicable field experience.
What is the career progression for Anthropologist?
The career ladder follows GS-5/7/9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level anthropologists conduct research support. GS-11/12 anthropologists lead studies independently. Senior anthropologists direct research programs and advise on cultural matters.
How do I apply for GS-0190 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Anthropologist' or '0190' series. Positions exist at Smithsonian, Army, and land management agencies. Your federal resume should detail fieldwork, research projects, and cultural expertise. Transcripts are required.
Ready to apply for GS-0190?
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.