Home / Federal careers / GS-1016
Museum Specialist and Technician
Federal museum position performing collection care, artifact preservation, exhibit support, and visitor services at Smithsonian museums, national parks, and federal cultural institutions.
What GS-1016 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 |
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-1016, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-1016:
General Experience (GS-4 and below): Experience using the tools, techniques, procedures, or methods related to the operation of a museum or similar collection, or to the handling, storage, care, protection, or recordkeeping of such a collection.
Specialized Experience (GS-5 and above): Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects including collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation work.
Related Education Fields: Qualifying coursework encompasses art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, and field-specific disciplines including aeronautics, anthropology, geology, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level:
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma/equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school in any field of study |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school with 6 semester hours of related courses |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4 years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours in a related field |
| GS-7 | None | 1 year at GS-5 level | 1 full academic year of related graduate level education or superior academic achievement |
| GS-9 | None | 1 year at GS-7 level | 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree |
| GS-11+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | None |
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-1016
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
Yeoman
Yeomen are responsible for administrative tasks and record-keeping, skills that are useful for maintaining museum documentation and supporting visitor services.
Skills that carry over: Administrative Support, Record Keeping, Customer Service.
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
- Care for collections
- Support exhibitions
- Assist with preservation
- Provide visitor services
- Maintain documentation
- Handle artifacts
Key competencies
Collections Care
Skill in handling, storing, and documenting museum objects.
Exhibit Support
Ability to assist with exhibit installation and maintenance.
Documentation
Skill in cataloging and maintaining collection records.
Preservation
Knowledge of basic preservation and conservation techniques.
Public Programs
Ability to assist with educational programs and tours.
Research Support
Skill in assisting with collections research.
Technology
Proficiency in collections management databases.
Communication
Ability to interact with visitors and answer questions.
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-1016
What is a Museum Specialist or Technician?
GS-1016 Museum Specialists and Technicians care for collections, support exhibitions, assist with preservation, provide visitor services, and maintain documentation at Smithsonian museums, national parks, and federal cultural institutions. They support curators with hands-on collection work.
How much does a federal Museum Specialist make?
GS-1016 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-11 ($63,163-$82,108) for senior specialists. Most positions are GS-7 to GS-9 ($42,679-$67,865). Lead specialists reach GS-9/11. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1016 positions?
At GS-5, you need a bachelor's degree in museum studies, history, or related field OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized collections care experience. Knowledge of artifact handling, documentation systems, and preservation techniques is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1016?
Yes. Military museum, heritage center, or supply/inventory management experience qualifies. If you handled historical artifacts, maintained documentation, or supported public programs, that experience translates. Your attention to detail and organizational skills are valued.
What is the career progression for Museum Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-9/11. Many use this as a stepping stone to Museum Curator (GS-1015) with additional education. Smithsonian and NPS offer strong specialist career paths. Specialization in registrar work, conservation, or education enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1016 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Museum Specialist' or 'Museum Technician.' Smithsonian, NPS, and military museums are major employers. Emphasize your collections experience, database proficiency, and attention to detail. Veterans with museum or inventory management backgrounds have applicable experience.
Ready to apply for GS-1016?
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.