Home / Federal careers / GS-1008
Interior Design
Positions involving professional work in interior design including space planning and furniture systems.
What GS-1008 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-1008, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in interior design, architecture, or related field
- Coursework should include interior design principles, space planning, materials, and building codes
OR
Experience: Professional experience in interior design demonstrating knowledge of design principles, space planning, and project management.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
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-1008
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
Construction Engineering Supervisor
This role involves planning and overseeing construction projects, which includes space planning and coordination with architects, similar to interior design tasks.
Skills that carry over: Space Planning, Design Principles, Building Codes.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Engineering Aid
Engineering Aids assist in the preparation of plans and specifications, which can translate to interior design tasks like developing space plans and preparing design documents.
Skills that carry over: Design Principles, Space Planning, Materials Knowledge.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
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 interior spaces
- Develop space plans
- Select furnishings
- Prepare design documents
- Coordinate with architects
- Ensure ADA compliance
- Manage design projects
- Present design concepts
- Specify materials
- Oversee installations
Key competencies
Space Planning
Ability to analyze and plan functional interior spaces.
Design Principles
Knowledge of interior design elements, color theory, and aesthetics.
Materials Knowledge
Understanding of interior finishes, furniture, and fixtures.
Building Codes
Knowledge of accessibility requirements and building regulations.
CAD Software
Proficiency in computer-aided design software.
Project Management
Ability to manage design projects from concept to completion.
Client Relations
Skill in understanding and meeting client needs.
Cost Estimation
Ability to prepare design budgets and specifications.
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-1008
What is a federal Interior Designer?
GS-1008 Interior Designers plan functional interior spaces, select furnishings, prepare design documents, ensure ADA compliance, and coordinate with architects. They work at GSA, VA, DOD, and agencies designing and renovating federal offices, hospitals, and facilities.
How much does a federal Interior Designer make?
GS-1008 follows a two-grade interval: GS-5/7/9/11/12. Entry at GS-5 ($34,454), journeyman at GS-9/11 ($52,205-$82,108), senior designers at GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Design managers reach GS-12. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1008 positions?
A degree in interior design or related field OR equivalent experience. NCIDQ certification (Certified Interior Designer) strengthens applications. Knowledge of ADA requirements, building codes, CAD software, and furniture systems is essential. Portfolio typically required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1008?
Partially. While a degree helps, military facilities management, space planning, or design experience provides relevant background. If you worked on base renovations, office layouts, or facility design, that experience complements formal training.
What is the career progression for Interior Designers?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, senior designers at GS-11/12. Supervisory and chief designer positions exist. GSA and VA offer the most interior design positions. NCIDQ certification and specialization in healthcare or federal workplace design enhance advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1008 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Interior Designer' or 'Space Planner.' GSA, VA, and military services are major employers. Highlight your design degree or certification, CAD proficiency, and ADA knowledge. Include portfolio samples. Veterans with facilities experience have relevant backgrounds.
Ready to apply for GS-1008?
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.