Home / Federal careers / GS-0304
Information Receptionist
Positions involving greeting visitors, answering inquiries, and providing information about organization services.
What GS-0304 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-0304, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There is no OPM qualification standard for this series. If a standard is needed to fill positions in this series, the employing agency should contact OPM for assistance.
Note: Agencies should apply the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions alongside any agency-specific requirements.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4 years above high school |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Generally not applicable |
General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Education: One year of full-time academic study equals 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or approximately 36 weeks at 20+ classroom hours per week.
Combining Education and Experience: For grades GS-3 through GS-5, applicants may substitute education for experience. Express both as percentages; combined must equal at least 100%.
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-0304
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
Yeoman
Yeomen handle administrative tasks and often serve as the first point of contact, aligning well with the duties of an Information Receptionist.
Skills that carry over: Organization, Communication, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Administration
Air Force Administration personnel are trained in managing office functions and interacting with personnel, which are key aspects of the Information Receptionist role.
Skills that carry over: Organization, Communication, Interpersonal Skills.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Administrative Specialist
Administrative Specialists in the Marine Corps are adept at managing information flow and interacting with personnel, which translates well to receptionist duties.
Skills that carry over: Customer Service, Organization, Communication.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
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
- Greet visitors
- Answer phones
- Provide information
- Direct inquiries
- Maintain lobby
- Issue badges
- Schedule appointments
- Handle mail
- Maintain records
- Provide customer service
Key competencies
Customer Service
Skill in greeting and assisting visitors professionally.
Communication
Clear verbal communication and telephone etiquette.
Interpersonal Skills
Ability to interact effectively with diverse people.
Organization
Skill in managing reception area and visitor flow.
Knowledge of Organization
Understanding of office functions and contacts.
Composure
Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
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-0304
What is an Information Receptionist?
A GS-0304 Information Receptionist greets visitors, answers questions, and provides information at federal facilities. These professionals serve as the first point of contact at government buildings, providing directions and basic assistance to the public.
How much does an Information Receptionist make?
Information Receptionists earn between $27,434 (GS-3 Step 1) and $44,786 (GS-5 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale following one-grade intervals. Most positions are GS-4/5, earning $30,795-$44,786 annually.
What are the requirements for GS-0304?
Entry-level positions require general experience demonstrating ability to work with the public and communicate effectively. No specific degree is required. Customer service skills and basic computer proficiency are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0304?
Military experience in customer service, front desk operations, or visitor control provides directly applicable skills. Those who worked at installation gates, visitor centers, or admin offices have relevant experience greeting and assisting people.
What is the career progression for Information Receptionist?
Information Receptionists progress from GS-3 (entry) through GS-4/5 (senior). Many advance to GS-0303 Clerk or other administrative series. The receptionist track provides a good entry point for federal administrative careers.
How do I apply for GS-0304 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Information Receptionist' or '0304' series. Federal buildings and visitor centers hire receptionists. Your federal resume should highlight customer service, communication skills, and ability to handle multiple tasks professionally.
Ready to apply for GS-0304?
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.