Home / Federal careers / GS-0803
Safety Engineering
Positions involving professional engineering work in safety including system safety, accident prevention, and hazard analysis.
What GS-0803 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-0803, as written.
Safety Engineering Basic Requirements
Uses Professional Engineering Basic Requirements (GS-800 Series)
Option A - Degree: Engineering degree from ABET-accredited program, OR degree in safety engineering, industrial safety, or related field with coursework in engineering, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Option B - Combination: College-level education plus technical experience demonstrating thorough knowledge of physical/mathematical sciences underlying engineering and understanding of safety engineering principles.
Professional Registration: Registration as Professional Engineer (PE) is qualifying.
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.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0803
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
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
GS-0803 Safety Engineering values the technical risk-engineering side of EOD work for ammunition-plant and ordnance-program safety roles.
Skills that carry over: Safety engineering, Explosives hazard control, Systems risk analysis, Technical standards.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Damage Controlman
Strong match. DCs conduct shipboard safety assessments — fire hazard surveys, watertight integrity inspections, and ventilation system evaluations. They evaluate structural fire boundaries and recommend engineering solutions. NAVFAC, NAVSEA, and shipyard safety engineering positions leverage this background directly.
Skills that carry over: Safety engineering assessments, Fire hazard surveys, Watertight integrity inspection, Ventilation system evaluation, Structural fire boundary analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Aircrew Egress Systems
GS-0803 Safety Engineering suits egress veterans who pursue the system-safety path, designing hazards out of life-critical systems.
Skills that carry over: System safety analysis, Failure-mode reasoning, Hazard mitigation, Engineering review.
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
- Conduct safety analyses
- Design safety systems
- Investigate accidents
- Develop safety standards
- Review engineering designs
- Perform hazard analyses
- Recommend safety improvements
- Manage safety programs
- Train personnel
- Ensure regulatory compliance
Key competencies
Hazard Identification
Ability to identify and evaluate workplace and system hazards.
Risk Assessment
Skill in analyzing risks and determining probability and severity of hazards.
Safety Program Development
Ability to develop comprehensive safety programs and procedures.
Accident Investigation
Skill in investigating accidents and identifying root causes.
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety standards.
Safety Analysis
Ability to conduct system safety analyses and fault tree analyses.
Technical Communication
Skill in preparing safety reports and presenting findings.
Training Development
Ability to develop and deliver safety training programs.
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-0803
What is a Safety Engineer?
GS-0803 Safety Engineers apply engineering principles to prevent accidents and protect workers. They conduct hazard analyses, design safety systems, investigate accidents, develop safety standards, review designs for safety, and manage safety programs. They work at DOD, DOE, NASA, OSHA, and agencies with significant safety risks.
How much does a federal Safety Engineer make?
GS-0803 follows a two-grade interval: GS-5/7/9/11/12/13+. Entry at GS-5 ($34,454), journeyman at GS-11 ($63,163-$82,108), senior engineers at GS-12/13 ($75,706-$117,034). Program managers reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0803 positions?
A professional engineering degree (ABET-accredited) is mandatory—this is a positive education requirement. CSP (Certified Safety Professional) certification strengthens applications. Experience with hazard analysis, system safety, OSHA regulations, and accident investigation is essential for higher grades.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0803?
The engineering degree is mandatory, but military safety experience is highly valued. Explosive ordnance, aviation safety, system safety, and weapons safety officers transition well. Your experience with hazard analysis, safety programs, and accident investigation complements required education.
What is the career progression for Safety Engineers?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, senior engineers at GS-12. Safety program managers and chief safety officers reach GS-13/14. CSP certification accelerates advancement. DOD, DOE, and NASA offer strong safety engineering career paths with specialization in system safety and explosives safety.
How do I apply for GS-0803 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Safety Engineer' or 'System Safety Engineer.' Major employers include DOD (especially ammunition and aviation), DOE, NASA, and OSHA. Highlight your engineering degree, CSP certification, and safety analysis experience. Veterans with explosive safety or aviation safety backgrounds are well-positioned.
Ready to apply for GS-0803?
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.