Home / Federal careers / GS-0660
Pharmacist
Performs professional pharmacy work including dispensing medications, drug therapy management, and patient counseling.
What GS-0660 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-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 |
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-0660, as written.
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0660 Pharmacist
Basic Requirements (All Positions):
Education: A doctoral degree in Pharmacy that is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Licensure (MANDATORY): Applicants must hold an active pharmacy license in a U.S. state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory.
Experience: Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of medications' chemical, biological, and physical properties. Qualifying work includes:
- Dispensing medications
- Evaluating medication use patterns
- Performing pharmacy administration
- Planning medication programs
- Establishing handling procedures
- Researching clinical information
- Maintaining medication records
Medical Requirements: Applicants must be able to distinguish basic colors.
Grade-Level Specific Requirements:
| Grade | Requirements |
|---|---|
| GS-11 | 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, Ph.D., Pharm.D. or equivalent doctoral degree |
| GS-12 | GS-11 requirements plus minimum 1 year of professional pharmacy experience |
| GS-13+ | Licensure and educational requirements plus minimum 1 year of professional pharmacy experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level |
Special Note: Employees in this series as of September 2017 are considered to have satisfied basic position requirements.
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-0660
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
Pharmacy Officer
Pharmacy management. Highlight pharmacy operations, medication management, and clinical services.
Skills that carry over: Pharmacy Operations, Medication Management, Clinical Services, Inventory, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Pharmacy Technician
Direct pharmacy experience. Highlight medication dispensing, inventory control, and patient education.
Skills that carry over: Medication Dispensing, Inventory Control, Patient Education, Pharmacy Operations, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
Pharmacy Specialist
GS-0660 Pharmacist is the professional series above you. Reachable after completing a PharmD using GI Bill benefits; your technician experience is a strong foundation.
Skills that carry over: Pharmacology, Dosage calculation, Medication therapy knowledge, Pharmacy law.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
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
- Dispense prescription medications
- Review drug therapy and interactions
- Counsel patients on medications
- Manage pharmacy operations
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Collaborate with healthcare team
Key competencies
Pharmacology
Expert knowledge of medications, drug interactions, and therapeutic effects.
Medication Dispensing
Skill in accurately preparing and dispensing medications.
Patient Counseling
Ability to educate patients on medication use, side effects, and interactions.
Clinical Evaluation
Skill in evaluating medication therapy outcomes and adjusting recommendations.
Drug Information
Ability to research and provide accurate drug information to healthcare providers.
Inventory Management
Knowledge of pharmaceutical inventory and storage requirements.
Regulatory Compliance
Understanding of pharmacy laws, regulations, and controlled substance requirements.
Quality Assurance
Skill in maintaining quality standards in pharmacy 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-0660
What is a federal Pharmacist?
GS-0660 Pharmacists dispense medications, review drug therapy for interactions and appropriateness, counsel patients, manage pharmacy operations, and collaborate with healthcare teams. They work at VA hospitals, IHS clinics, military treatment facilities, BOP, and federal healthcare programs ensuring safe medication use.
How much does a federal Pharmacist make?
GS-0660 positions range from GS-11 ($63,163) for entry to GS-14 ($106,382-$138,296) for clinical specialists and managers. Most staff pharmacists are GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422). Chiefs of Pharmacy reach GS-13/14. VA offers additional special pay. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0660 positions?
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an ACPE-accredited program AND current, active pharmacist license in a U.S. state or territory. PGY1 residency is increasingly expected for clinical positions. Board certification in specialties (BCPS, BCPP) strengthens applications.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0660?
The PharmD and license are mandatory requirements. However, military pharmacist experience is highly valued—your clinical skills, formulary management, and leadership experience transfer directly. Veterans with pharmacy credentials are particularly valued at VA where understanding veteran health issues enhances care.
What is the career progression for federal Pharmacists?
Entry at GS-11/12, staff pharmacists at GS-12, clinical specialists at GS-12/13, and pharmacy managers at GS-13/14. Chiefs of Pharmacy Services reach GS-14. VA offers robust pharmacy career ladders with clinical advancement opportunities in anticoagulation, mental health, and specialty areas.
How do I apply for GS-0660 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Pharmacist' or 'Clinical Pharmacist.' VA is the largest federal employer of pharmacists. Also check IHS (often with loan repayment), BOP, and DoD. Highlight your residency training, board certifications, and clinical specialties. Veterans with pharmacy backgrounds have significant advantages at VA.
Ready to apply for GS-0660?
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.