Home / Federal careers / GS-0905
General Attorney
Performs professional legal work including legal research, writing, litigation, and advisory services.
What GS-0905 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-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-0905, as written.
General Attorney Individual Occupational Requirements
Education: Professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Bar Membership: Must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Note: Attorney positions are in the excepted service and not covered by standard qualification standards. Agencies determine specific qualifications based on position requirements.
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-0905
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
Judge Advocate
Air Force Judge Advocates provide legal counsel and representation, directly translating to the responsibilities of a General Attorney.
Skills that carry over: Legal Research, Oral Advocacy, Legal Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12.
Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG)
Navy JAG officers have extensive experience in legal proceedings and advisory roles, aligning closely with the duties of a General Attorney.
Skills that carry over: Legal Analysis, Client Counseling, Legal Writing.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12.
Judge Advocate General Corps Officer
Military law. Highlight legal practice, military justice, and counsel.
Skills that carry over: Legal Practice, Military Justice, Counsel, Litigation, Leadership.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
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
- Provide legal advice and counsel
- Conduct legal research and analysis
- Draft legal documents and briefs
- Represent agency in litigation
- Review contracts and agreements
- Interpret laws and regulations
Key competencies
Legal Research
Ability to research case law, statutes, and regulations effectively.
Legal Writing
Skill in drafting legal documents, opinions, and briefs.
Legal Analysis
Ability to analyze complex legal issues and provide sound advice.
Oral Advocacy
Skill in presenting legal arguments and representing clients.
Client Counseling
Ability to advise clients on legal rights and obligations.
Negotiation
Skill in negotiating settlements and agreements.
Ethics
Knowledge of legal ethics and professional responsibility requirements.
Subject Matter Expertise
Knowledge of relevant areas of law (administrative, contracts, employment, etc.).
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-0905
What is a federal Attorney?
GS-0905 General Attorneys provide legal advice, conduct research, draft documents, represent agencies in litigation, review contracts, and interpret laws. They work at DOJ, agency counsel offices, military JAG civilian positions, and virtually every federal agency requiring legal expertise.
How much does a federal Attorney make?
GS-0905 positions range from GS-11 ($63,163) at entry to GS-15 ($125,133-$162,672) for senior attorneys. Most attorneys are GS-12 to GS-14 ($75,706-$138,296). DOJ Trial Attorneys and agency General Counsel reach GS-15/SES. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0905 positions?
A Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school AND active bar membership in a U.S. jurisdiction are mandatory—positive education requirement. Specialized experience in relevant practice areas (contracts, administrative, employment) needed for higher grades.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0905?
The JD and bar admission are mandatory—no substitution. However, military JAG experience is highly valued. JAG officers transition directly to civilian federal attorney positions. Your litigation, administrative law, and government legal experience translates directly.
What is the career progression for federal Attorneys?
Entry at GS-11/12, experienced attorneys at GS-13/14, and senior counsel at GS-15. Agency General Counsel and DOJ leadership enter SES. DOJ offers the most attorney positions, but every agency has counsel offices. Specialization in acquisition, employment, or litigation enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-0905 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Attorney' or 'Counsel.' DOJ, service JAG civilian positions, and agency counsel offices are major employers. Highlight your bar admission, relevant practice areas, and government law experience. Veterans with JAG backgrounds have significant advantages.
Ready to apply for GS-0905?
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.