Home / Federal careers / GS-0340
Program Management
Federal position performing program management work including strategic planning, program execution, performance monitoring, and oversight of government initiatives and operations.
What GS-0340 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 |
| 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-0340, 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-0340
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
Submarine Officer
Elite technical leadership. Highlight nuclear operations, technical management, and strategic planning.
Skills that carry over: Nuclear Operations, Technical Management, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Risk Management.
Usually opens at: GS-13, GS-14, GS-15.
Religious Affairs
Running chapel programs end to end translates into GS-0340 Program Management. Document the budget, scope, and people you coordinated.
Skills that carry over: Program management, Volunteer and staff coordination, Planning and execution, Stakeholder management.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Joint Fire Support Specialist
Program Management. Senior 13Fs who synchronized fire support across echelons were performing program management with multiple stakeholders.
Skills that carry over: Program planning, Stakeholder coordination, Resource management, Timeline execution, Multi-echelon synchronization.
Usually opens at: 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
- Plan and manage programs
- Oversee program execution
- Monitor program performance
- Manage program budgets
- Coordinate stakeholders
- Report on program status
Key competencies
Program Management
Ability to plan, execute, and evaluate programs.
Leadership
Skill in directing staff and achieving organizational goals.
Strategic Planning
Ability to develop long-term program strategies.
Resource Management
Skill in managing budgets and personnel.
Communication
Excellent oral and written communication.
Problem Solving
Ability to address complex organizational challenges.
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-0340
What is a Program Manager?
A GS-0340 Program Manager directs and oversees federal programs from planning through execution. These professionals manage budgets, resources, schedules, and stakeholder relationships for programs across all federal agencies, ensuring mission accomplishment.
How much does a federal Program Manager make?
Program Managers earn between $63,163 (GS-11 Step 1) and $162,672 (GS-15 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-13/14/15, earning $90,025-$162,672 annually. Senior program managers often reach SES levels.
What are the requirements for GS-0340 positions?
GS-0340 positions require extensive program management experience including planning, budgeting, and execution. Entry typically requires GS-12/13 equivalent experience. PMP certification and graduate degrees strengthen qualifications. Supervisory experience is typically required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0340?
Yes, military program management experience is highly valued. Officers who managed acquisition programs, major projects, or operational programs have directly transferable skills. Military experience with planning, budgeting, and leading cross-functional teams demonstrates required competencies.
What is the career progression for Program Manager?
Program Managers typically enter at GS-13/14 from other series after demonstrating management ability. Progression leads to GS-15 and SES positions directing major agency programs. PMP certification and leadership training support advancement.
How do I apply for GS-0340 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Program Manager' or '0340' series. These senior positions exist at every agency. Your federal resume should detail specific programs managed, budgets controlled, and measurable outcomes achieved. PMP certification is often preferred.
Ready to apply for GS-0340?
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.