Home / Federal careers / GS-0802
Engineering Technician
Positions that involve technical work supporting professional engineers in design, testing, and maintenance of engineering systems.
What GS-0802 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-0802, as written.
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above):
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems.
Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as:
• Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes.
• Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.
OR
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-0802
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
Nuclear Weapons
Engineering technician pathway.
Skills that carry over: Nuclear Weapons, Safety Systems, Maintenance, Security, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Engineering
Direct match. Engineering Technician positions across USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC, and installation civil engineering offices use the same drafting, surveying, and project support skills.
Skills that carry over: AutoCAD/drafting, Surveying, Construction inspection, Project documentation, GIS.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Technical Engineer
12Ts map directly to GS-0802 Engineering Technician. Survey, CAD, materials testing, and inspection experience qualifies without an engineering degree.
Skills that carry over: Surveying, CAD drafting, Materials testing, Quality-control inspection.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
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
- Prepare engineering drawings and sketches
- Conduct tests and record data
- Operate testing equipment
- Assist with design calculations
- Maintain technical documentation
- Inspect equipment and systems
- Prepare technical reports
- Support construction oversight
- Calibrate instruments
- Analyze test results
Key competencies
Technical Knowledge
Knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents as applied to specific engineering disciplines.
Drafting
Ability to prepare and interpret engineering drawings and sketches.
Testing and Measurement
Skill in operating testing equipment and calibrating instruments.
Attention to Detail
Ability to conduct tests accurately and record data precisely.
Written Communication
Ability to prepare technical reports and maintain documentation.
Problem Solving
Ability to analyze test results and identify issues with equipment and 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-0802
What is an Engineering Technician?
GS-0802 Engineering Technicians support professional engineers with technical work: preparing drawings, conducting tests, operating equipment, assisting with calculations, maintaining documentation, and inspecting systems. They work across all engineering disciplines at Army Corps, NAVFAC, Air Force, and other federal engineering organizations.
How much does a federal Engineering Technician make?
GS-0802 follows a one-grade interval typically ranging from GS-4 ($30,795) to GS-11 ($63,163-$82,108). Most positions are GS-7 to GS-9 ($42,679-$67,865). Senior technicians and leads reach GS-10/11. Add locality pay of 15-40% plus federal benefits.
What are the requirements for GS-0802 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general experience or 2 years of post-high school education. Higher grades require specialized technical experience in drafting, testing, or engineering support. Associate's degree in engineering technology or related field strengthens applications.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0802?
Yes. Military engineering technician experience directly qualifies. Combat engineers, construction specialists, equipment operators, and technical MOSs provide excellent preparation. Your experience with drawings, testing, equipment maintenance, and technical documentation translates directly to these positions.
What is the career progression for Engineering Technicians?
Entry at GS-4/5 with progression to GS-9/10/11. Lead technicians reach GS-10/11. Some pursue engineering degrees to transition to professional engineer series (GS-08xx). Specialization in CAD, surveying, or quality control enhances advancement. Federal agencies offer tuition assistance.
How do I apply for GS-0802 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Engineering Technician' or specific specialties like 'Civil Engineering Technician.' Army Corps, NAVFAC, and Air Force Civil Engineer are major employers. Emphasize your technical skills, drafting/CAD experience, and testing background. Veterans with engineering MOSs have directly applicable qualifications.
Ready to apply for GS-0802?
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.