Home / Federal careers / GS-0201
Human Resources Management
Positions that advise on, administer, supervise, or perform work in the various human resources management functional areas including recruitment, classification, employee relations, labor relations, benefits, and workforce development.
What GS-0201 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-0201, 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-0201
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
Personnel Specialist
Strong HR foundation. Large-scale personnel management experience is valuable.
Skills that carry over: Personnel Administration, Pay Systems, Benefits.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Personnel Specialist
Direct HR translation. Highlight personnel management, records, and HR programs.
Skills that carry over: Personnel Management, Records Management, HR Programs, Customer Service, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Human Resources Specialist
Human Resources Management. The most direct federal match for 42As. Covers staffing, classification, employee relations, benefits administration, and workforce planning — all core 42A functions. Entry at GS-7/9 with Army HR experience.
Skills that carry over: Personnel action processing, Records management, Benefits administration, Workforce planning, Regulatory compliance, HRIS operations.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
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 and implement HR policies and procedures
- Manage recruitment and staffing processes
- Conduct position classification and job analysis
- Administer employee benefits programs
- Provide guidance on employee and labor relations
- Facilitate workforce planning and development
- Process personnel actions and maintain records
- Advise managers on HR matters and regulations
- Conduct training and development programs
- Ensure compliance with HR laws and regulations
Key competencies
HR Program Management
Ability to plan and administer HR programs.
Staffing
Skill in recruitment, assessment, and placement.
Classification
Knowledge of position classification and job analysis.
Employee Relations
Ability to advise on conduct, performance, and discipline.
Labor Relations
Skill in working with unions and labor agreements.
Benefits Administration
Knowledge of federal benefits programs.
HR Policy
Ability to interpret and apply HR laws and regulations.
Consultation
Skill in providing HR guidance to managers.
Data Analysis
Ability to analyze HR metrics and workforce data.
HRIS Systems
Proficiency in HR information systems.
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-0201
What is a Human Resources Specialist?
A GS-0201 Human Resources Specialist performs HR functions including staffing, classification, employee relations, benefits administration, and workforce planning. These professionals manage the federal workforce at every agency, ensuring compliance with merit system principles.
How much does a federal HR Specialist make?
HR Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale following two-grade intervals. Most full-performance positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0201 positions?
GS-0201 positions require education and/or experience in human resources, business, or related fields. Entry-level positions (GS-5/7) accept relevant degrees or general experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in HR functions like staffing, classification, or employee relations.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0201?
Yes, military HR experience is highly valued. Personnel specialists (42A, PS, YN), career counselors, and those who worked in military HR offices have directly transferable skills. Experience with personnel actions, records management, and benefits administration translates directly to federal civilian HR.
What is the career progression for Human Resources Specialist?
The career ladder follows two-grade intervals (GS-5/7/9/11/12/13). Entry-level specialists learn HR fundamentals. GS-11/12 specialists handle complex cases independently. GS-13+ positions involve program management, policy development, and HR leadership roles.
How do I apply for GS-0201 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Human Resources' or '0201' series. Every federal agency has HR positions. Your federal resume should detail specific HR functions performed, systems used (USA Staffing, eOPF), and knowledge of federal HR regulations. Military personnel experience translates well.
Ready to apply for GS-0201?
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.