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Exhibits Specialist
Federal position designing, fabricating, and installing exhibits for museums, visitor centers, and public displays at federal agencies, national parks, and government facilities.
What GS-1010 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 |
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-1010, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in museum studies, art, design, or related field
- Coursework in exhibit design, fabrication, or museum practices
OR
Experience: Experience in designing, fabricating, or installing exhibits in museums, visitor centers, or similar environments.
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-1010
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
Multimedia Illustrator
Army Multimedia Illustrators are skilled in creating visual content, which aligns well with designing and fabricating exhibits.
Skills that carry over: Exhibit Design, Fabrication Skills, Interpretation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Combat Illustrator
Marine Corps Combat Illustrators are adept at creating visual content under various conditions, aligning with exhibit design and fabrication.
Skills that carry over: Exhibit Design, Fabrication Skills, Interpretation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Mass Communication Specialist
Navy Mass Communication Specialists have experience in visual storytelling and project management, useful for exhibit design and coordination.
Skills that carry over: Exhibit Design, Project Management, Interpretation.
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 exhibits
- Fabricate exhibit components
- Install exhibits
- Maintain exhibits
- Coordinate with curators
- Manage exhibit projects
Key competencies
Exhibit Design
Ability to design effective and engaging exhibits.
Fabrication Skills
Knowledge of exhibit construction materials and techniques.
Installation
Skill in installing and maintaining exhibits safely.
Interpretation
Ability to translate content into visual presentations.
Project Management
Skill in managing exhibit projects and timelines.
Collaboration
Ability to work with curators, educators, and designers.
Technical Skills
Proficiency in design software and fabrication tools.
Preservation
Understanding of artifact handling and preservation requirements.
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-1010
What is an Exhibits Specialist?
GS-1010 Exhibits Specialists design, fabricate, and install exhibits for museums, visitor centers, and public displays. They translate content into visual presentations, work with curators, and manage exhibit projects at Smithsonian, National Park Service, and federal cultural facilities.
How much does a federal Exhibits Specialist make?
GS-1010 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422) for senior designers and project managers. Most positions are GS-7 to GS-11 ($42,679-$82,108). Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1010 positions?
At GS-5, you need a bachelor's degree in design or related field OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized exhibit design and fabrication experience. Portfolio demonstrating design and fabrication skills typically required. CAD and design software proficiency essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1010?
Yes. Military experience in graphic design, fabrication, woodworking, or display construction qualifies. If you built displays, created visual presentations, or worked on base museums or heritage centers, that experience translates. Your hands-on fabrication skills are valuable.
What is the career progression for Exhibits Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-9/11. Senior exhibit designers and project managers reach GS-11/12. Smithsonian and National Park Service offer the strongest exhibit career paths. Specialization in digital/interactive exhibits or large-scale fabrication enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1010 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Exhibits Specialist' or 'Exhibit Designer.' Smithsonian and NPS are primary employers. Highlight your design portfolio, fabrication experience, and project management skills. Veterans with design or construction backgrounds have applicable experience.
Ready to apply for GS-1010?
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.