Home / Federal careers / GS-0501
Financial Administration and Program
Performs financial administration work including financial program management and fiscal operations.
What GS-0501 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 |
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-0501, 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-0501
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
Financial Management Specialist
Direct financial translation. Highlight budget execution, accounting, and financial analysis.
Skills that carry over: Budget Execution, Accounting, Financial Analysis, Reporting, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Financial Management Comptroller
Strong fit for financial administration.
Skills that carry over: Financial Management, Comptroller Services, Fund Control.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Financial Management Officer
Excellent financial administration match.
Skills that carry over: Financial Oversight, Program Management, Fiscal Policy.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
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
- Manage financial programs
- Administer fiscal operations
- Develop financial procedures
- Monitor financial compliance
- Coordinate financial activities
- Report on financial status
Key competencies
Financial Management
Knowledge of federal financial systems and regulations.
Analytical Skills
Ability to analyze financial data and trends.
Program Administration
Skill in managing financial programs.
Communication
Ability to explain financial matters clearly.
Problem Solving
Skill in resolving financial issues.
Leadership
Ability to direct financial operations.
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-0501
What is a Financial Administration Specialist?
A GS-0501 Financial Administration Specialist performs budget, accounting, and financial management work that doesn't fit specific finance series. These professionals manage funds, analyze financial data, and ensure fiscal accountability across federal agencies.
How much does a Financial Administration Specialist make?
Financial Administration Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0501 positions?
GS-0501 positions require education and/or experience in finance, accounting, or business. Entry-level positions accept degrees or equivalent experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized financial management experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0501?
Yes, military financial experience is valuable. Finance NCOs, budget analysts, resource managers, and those who managed unit funds have transferable skills. Experience with military financial systems and budget execution translates well to federal finance roles.
What is the career progression for Financial Administration Specialist?
The career ladder typically follows GS-7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level specialists support financial operations. GS-11/12 specialists manage budgets and accounts independently. Senior specialists direct financial programs and policy development.
How do I apply for GS-0501 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Financial' or '0501' series. Every agency has financial positions. Your federal resume should detail specific financial systems used, budget management experience, and accounting knowledge.
Ready to apply for GS-0501?
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.