Home / Federal careers / GS-0896
Industrial Engineering
Performs professional industrial engineering work in process improvement, operations research, and systems optimization.
What GS-0896 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 |
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-0896, as written.
Industrial Engineering Basic Requirements
Uses Professional Engineering Basic Requirements (GS-800 Series)
Option A - Degree: Engineering degree from ABET-accredited program in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, systems engineering, or related field.
Option B - Combination: College-level education plus technical experience demonstrating thorough knowledge of industrial engineering sciences including operations research, ergonomics, production systems, quality engineering.
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-0896
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
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers in the Air Force often work on facility layouts and process optimization, which are key components of industrial engineering.
Skills that carry over: Facility Layout Design, Operations Research, Ergonomics.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Engineering Aid
Engineering Aids assist in planning and designing projects, which can translate to process improvement and production planning skills.
Skills that carry over: Process Improvement, Production Planning, Quality Engineering.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Engineering
Industrial Engineering positions match process improvement and workflow optimization experience from construction project management.
Skills that carry over: Process analysis, Workflow optimization, Resource allocation, Efficiency studies, Layout planning.
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
- Analyze and improve operational processes
- Conduct work measurement studies
- Design facility layouts
- Develop production standards
- Implement lean/Six Sigma methodologies
- Optimize resource utilization
Key competencies
Process Improvement
Ability to analyze and improve production processes.
Operations Research
Knowledge of optimization and analytical methods.
Quality Engineering
Skill in developing quality control systems and standards.
Ergonomics
Understanding of human factors and workplace design.
Production Planning
Ability to plan and schedule manufacturing operations.
Lean Manufacturing
Knowledge of lean principles and waste reduction.
Data Analysis
Skill in analyzing production data and metrics.
Project Management
Ability to manage industrial engineering projects.
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-0896
What is a federal Industrial Engineer?
GS-0896 Industrial Engineers improve operational processes, conduct work measurement studies, design facility layouts, develop production standards, and implement Lean/Six Sigma methodologies. They work at DOD depots, shipyards, manufacturing facilities, and agencies optimizing operations.
How much does a federal Industrial Engineer make?
GS-0896 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-14 ($106,382-$138,296) for senior engineers and program managers. Journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Production managers reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0896 positions?
A professional industrial engineering degree (ABET-accredited) is mandatory—positive education requirement. Experience in process improvement, operations research, or quality engineering needed for higher grades. Lean Six Sigma certification enhances competitiveness.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0896?
The engineering degree is mandatory, but military industrial engineering experience is highly valued. Logistics, manufacturing, depot maintenance, and production control engineers with degrees transition directly. Your process improvement and efficiency experience is invaluable.
What is the career progression for Industrial Engineers?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-11/12, senior engineers at GS-12/13, and program managers at GS-13/14. Navy shipyards, Air Force depots, and Army manufacturing facilities offer strong industrial engineering career paths.
How do I apply for GS-0896 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Industrial Engineer' or 'Manufacturing Engineer.' Navy shipyards, Air Force depots, and DLA are major employers. Highlight your ABET degree, Lean Six Sigma certification, and process improvement accomplishments. Veterans with logistics/production backgrounds are valued.
Ready to apply for GS-0896?
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.