Home / Federal careers / GS-0856
Electronics Technician
Positions that involve technical work in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic equipment and systems.
What GS-0856 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-0856, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0856:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Qualifying experience includes work as a technician, instructor, inspector, or mechanic demonstrating progression in theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic theory with hands-on duties in testing, troubleshooting, modifying, designing, calibrating, installing, maintaining, repairing, constructing, and instructing on electronic equipment. Alternatively, experience developing policies, standards, and procedures for maintenance, installation, or similar functions that demonstrates specialized knowledge of electronic systems.
Education and Training:
- GS-4: Completion of 2 years of study including at least 12 semester hours in engineering, physical science, technology, or mathematics, with minimum 6 semester hours in electronics courses.
- GS-5: One of the following: (a) Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electronics technology; (b) 3 years in an ABET-accredited electronics curriculum; (c) Full 4-year bachelor's degree with 24+ semester hours in relevant courses (minimum 12 in electronics)
Alternate Standard: The Examining Guide for Electronics Mechanic (2604) applies when the position qualifies as Trade, Craft, or Labor Work under Technical Work in Engineering and Architecture Group 0800 standards.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
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-0856
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
Avionics Electrical Technician
Electronics Technician — most direct federal match. Aviation electronics maintenance, test, and calibration positions at FAA, DoD depots, and DHS.
Skills that carry over: Avionics maintenance, Electronics troubleshooting, Circuit analysis, Test equipment operation.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer
GS-0856 Electronics Technician is a direct fit for the maintenance and troubleshooting side of 25Q work. DoD depots, sustainment commands, and federal facility comms shops hire here.
Skills that carry over: Electronics troubleshooting, RF systems maintenance, Test equipment, Calibration, Component-level repair.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Radar Systems Technician
Direct electronics technician match.
Skills that carry over: Radar Systems, Electronic Repair, Signal Processing.
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
- Troubleshoot electronic equipment
- Repair and maintain systems
- Install electronic components
- Conduct diagnostic tests
- Read and interpret schematics
- Calibrate electronic instruments
- Document maintenance activities
- Order and track parts
- Train users on equipment
- Perform preventive maintenance
Key competencies
Electronic Troubleshooting
Skill in diagnosing and repairing electronic equipment.
Test Equipment
Proficiency in operating electronic test and measurement instruments.
Schematic Reading
Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics and diagrams.
Circuit Analysis
Understanding of electronic circuit theory and principles.
Soldering and Assembly
Skill in soldering and assembling electronic components.
Maintenance Procedures
Knowledge of preventive and corrective maintenance procedures.
Documentation
Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records and reports.
Safety Procedures
Understanding of electrical safety practices and procedures.
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-0856
What is an Electronics Technician?
GS-0856 Electronics Technicians maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electronic equipment and systems. They diagnose problems, replace components, calibrate instruments, and perform preventive maintenance on radar, communications, avionics, and test equipment at federal facilities.
How much does a federal Electronics Technician make?
GS-0856 follows a one-grade interval typically ranging from GS-5 ($34,454) to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422). Most positions are GS-9 to GS-11 ($52,205-$82,108). Senior technicians and leads reach GS-11/12. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0856 positions?
At GS-5, you need 1 year of specialized experience or 4 years of education above high school. Higher grades require progressively responsible electronics maintenance experience. Ability to read schematics, use test equipment, and troubleshoot circuits is essential. Technical certifications help.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0856?
Absolutely. Military electronics technicians—Navy ETs, Fire Controlmen, Aviation Electronics Techs, Army electronic maintainers, Air Force avionics specialists—transition directly. Your hands-on troubleshooting, schematic reading, and test equipment skills are exactly what federal positions require.
What is the career progression for Electronics Technicians?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-11/12. Lead technicians and supervisors reach higher grades. Some pursue engineering degrees to transition to Electronics Engineer (GS-0855). Navy shipyards, Air Force depots, and Army depots offer strong electronics technician careers.
How do I apply for GS-0856 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Electronics Technician' or specific specialties like 'Radar Technician.' Navy, Air Force, and Army are major employers. Emphasize your military electronics training, systems experience, and maintenance certifications. Your military ET/AV rating experience is directly applicable.
Ready to apply for GS-0856?
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.