Home / Federal careers / GS-0312
Clerk-Stenographer and Reporter
Federal position providing stenographic, court reporting, and transcription services for hearings, meetings, and official proceedings at federal courts and government agencies.
What GS-0312 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-0312, 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.
Proficiency Requirements (from Group Coverage Standard):
- Clerk-Stenographer, GS-3/4: 40 words per minute typing AND 80 words per minute dictation
- Clerk-Stenographer, GS-5: 40 words per minute typing AND 120 words per minute dictation
- Reporting Stenographer, GS-5/6: 120 words per minute dictation minimum
- Shorthand Reporter/Closed Microphone, GS-6: 160 words per minute dictation
- GS-7 and above: 175 words per minute dictation
Applicants may demonstrate proficiency through performance testing, authorized certificates (valid 3 years), or self-certification (subject to agency verification).
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 | High school diploma (Clerk-Steno) |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | 2 years (Clerk-Steno) | 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.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position.
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-0312
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 are responsible for preparing official documents and maintaining records, which translates well to transcription and stenography duties.
Skills that carry over: Typing Speed, Transcription, Attention to Detail.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Administration
Air Force Administration specialists handle documentation and records, providing a foundation for stenographic and transcription tasks.
Skills that carry over: Typing Speed, Concentration, Transcription.
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
- Take stenographic notes
- Transcribe proceedings
- Prepare official transcripts
- Operate recording equipment
- Maintain transcript records
Key competencies
Stenography
Proficiency in shorthand or machine stenography.
Transcription
Skill in producing accurate written records.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in capturing spoken words.
Typing Speed
Rapid and accurate keyboarding ability.
Concentration
Ability to maintain focus during lengthy proceedings.
Technical Vocabulary
Knowledge of specialized terminology.
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-0312
What is a federal Clerk-Stenographer or Court Reporter?
GS-0312 positions provide stenographic, court reporting, and transcription services for federal hearings, meetings, and official proceedings. They capture spoken words in real-time using shorthand or stenotype machines, then produce accurate written transcripts. These roles exist at federal courts, administrative hearings, and agency meetings requiring official records.
How much does a federal Clerk-Stenographer make?
GS-0312 positions range from GS-3 ($27,434) for entry-level clerk-stenographers to GS-9+ ($52,205+) for experienced court reporters. Shorthand reporters at GS-6/7 earn $38,407-$55,486. Court reporters with 175+ wpm capability command higher grades. Add 15-40% locality pay for metro areas.
What are the requirements for GS-0312 positions?
Speed and accuracy are mandatory: GS-3/4 requires 40 wpm typing plus 80 wpm dictation. GS-5 needs 120 wpm dictation. Court reporters at GS-6+ need 160-175 wpm dictation capability. You'll demonstrate proficiency through testing, certification, or verified self-certification.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0312?
Partially. While military admin experience helps meet general requirements, stenography is a specialized skill requiring specific training. If you learned shorthand, stenotype, or court reporting in the military or through training programs, that directly qualifies. Veterans with transcription experience have an advantage.
What is the career progression for Clerk-Stenographers?
Entry at GS-3/4 progresses to GS-5/6 as skills increase. Court reporters can reach GS-9 or higher at federal courts. Many transition to Legal Administrative Specialist, Paralegal, or other legal support roles. The stenography skills also transfer to closed captioning and CART provider careers.
How do I apply for GS-0312 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Stenographer,' 'Court Reporter,' or 'Shorthand Reporter.' Positions are concentrated at federal courts, DOJ, and agencies with administrative hearing functions. Be prepared to demonstrate your speed through testing. Certifications from NCRA or state court reporting associations strengthen your application.
Ready to apply for GS-0312?
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.