Home / Federal careers / GS-0850
Electrical Engineering
Performs professional electrical engineering work in design, development, and testing of electrical systems and equipment.
What GS-0850 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-0850, as written.
Electrical Engineering Basic Requirements
Uses Professional Engineering Basic Requirements (GS-800 Series)
Option A - Degree: Engineering degree from ABET-accredited program in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or related field.
Option B - Combination: College-level education plus technical experience demonstrating thorough knowledge of electrical engineering principles including circuits, electromagnetics, power systems.
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-0850
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
Gas Turbine Electrical Operator
Electrical engineering pathway.
Skills that carry over: Gas Turbine, Electrical Systems, Power Generation, Monitoring, Maintenance.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Electrician's Mate
Electrical Engineering — engineering technician positions for power generation, distribution, and industrial electrical systems at federal facilities.
Skills that carry over: Power generation, Electrical distribution, Motor control, Circuit analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Submarine Electrical Technician
Electrical engineering pathway.
Skills that carry over: Electrical Systems, Power Distribution, Troubleshooting, Maintenance, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Design electrical systems and circuits
- Develop electrical specifications
- Conduct testing and analysis
- Troubleshoot electrical problems
- Review electrical drawings and plans
- Ensure electrical code compliance
Key competencies
Circuit Design
Skill in designing electrical circuits and systems.
Power Systems
Knowledge of power generation, distribution, and transmission.
Control Systems
Understanding of control theory and instrumentation.
Electromagnetics
Knowledge of electromagnetic theory and applications.
Electrical Codes
Understanding of NEC and electrical safety standards.
Testing and Measurement
Ability to test electrical systems and analyze results.
CAD/Design Tools
Proficiency in electrical design software.
Problem Solving
Ability to troubleshoot electrical systems and resolve issues.
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-0850
What is a federal Electrical Engineer?
GS-0850 Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems: power distribution, control systems, facility electrical, and specialized equipment. They work at Navy shipyards, Air Force bases, Army Corps, DOE, and agencies requiring electrical system expertise.
How much does a federal Electrical Engineer make?
GS-0850 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-15 ($125,133-$162,672) for senior engineers and technical directors. Journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Project leads and supervisors reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0850 positions?
A professional electrical engineering degree (ABET-accredited) is mandatory—this is a positive education requirement. PE licensure preferred for senior positions. Experience in power systems, controls, facility electrical, or specific systems needed for higher grades.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0850?
The engineering degree is mandatory, but military electrical engineering experience is highly valued. Navy nuclear ETs with degrees, Air Force electrical engineers, and Army power generation specialists transition well. Your systems experience and security clearance are significant advantages.
What is the career progression for Electrical Engineers?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-11/12, senior engineers at GS-13, and technical directors at GS-14/15. PE licensure accelerates advancement. Navy shipyards, Air Force, DOE, and NASA offer strong electrical engineering career paths with cutting-edge projects.
How do I apply for GS-0850 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Electrical Engineer.' Navy, Air Force, DOE, and NASA are major employers. Highlight your ABET degree, PE license if held, and specific systems experience (power, controls, facility). Veterans with electrical engineering backgrounds and clearances are highly valued.
Ready to apply for GS-0850?
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.