Home / Federal careers / GS-0357
Coding
Federal position assigning codes and classifications to documents, records, and data for information organization, retrieval, and management at federal agencies and government systems.
What GS-0357 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-0357, 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.
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-0357
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
Knowledge Operations Management
This role involves managing and organizing information, including coding and classification, making it a strong fit for the GS-0357 series.
Skills that carry over: Coding Knowledge, Quality Assurance, Computer Skills.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Manpower Information Systems (MIS) Analyst
MIS Analysts work with data systems and ensure data integrity, similar to coding and classification roles.
Skills that carry over: Analytical Skills, Coding Knowledge, Attention to Detail.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Yeoman
Yeomen handle administrative tasks, including document management and data entry, which can translate to coding and classification duties.
Skills that carry over: Attention to Detail, Analytical Skills, Computer Skills.
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
- Assign classification codes
- Review coding accuracy
- Update coding systems
- Train staff on coding
- Maintain code manuals
Key competencies
Coding Knowledge
Understanding of relevant classification systems.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in assigning and verifying codes.
Analytical Skills
Ability to interpret source documents.
Computer Skills
Proficiency with coding software.
Quality Assurance
Skill in reviewing and correcting coded data.
Adaptability
Ability to learn new coding 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-0357
What is a federal Coding Clerk?
GS-0357 Coding Clerks assign classification codes to documents, records, and data for organization and retrieval. They're NOT computer programmers—they apply standardized coding systems (medical codes, occupation codes, subject codes) to categorize information for government databases and records systems.
How much does a federal Coding Clerk make?
GS-0357 positions typically range from GS-3 ($27,434) to GS-6 ($38,407-$49,927). Most positions are GS-4 to GS-5 ($30,795-$44,786). Specialized coding (medical coding, statistical classification) may command higher grades. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0357 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general clerical experience or 2 years of education. Higher grades require specialized experience with relevant coding systems. Strong attention to detail and analytical ability to interpret source documents are essential. Computer proficiency with coding software required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0357?
Yes. Military experience classifying documents, assigning supply codes, coding personnel records, or using standardized classification systems qualifies. If you worked with NSNs, MOS codes, or any military classification system, that analytical experience transfers directly to civilian coding work.
What is the career progression for Coding Clerks?
Start at GS-3/4 with progression to GS-5/6. Specialized coding (medical, statistical) offers higher advancement. Many transition to Health Information Technician, Records Analyst, or Data Analyst positions. Coding certification (CPC, CCS for medical coding) opens additional career paths.
How do I apply for GS-0357 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Coding Clerk' or specific coding specialties like 'Medical Coder.' Positions exist at agencies with large data classification needs (VA for medical coding, Census, BLS). Emphasize your analytical skills and any experience with classification systems.
Ready to apply for GS-0357?
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.