Home / Federal careers / GS-1020
Illustrating
Performs illustrating work including technical illustration, scientific illustration, and visual communication.
What GS-1020 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-1020, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in art, illustration, graphic design, or related field
- Portfolio demonstrating illustration skills
OR
Experience: Professional experience creating illustrations for publications, exhibits, or other media.
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-1020
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
Combat Graphics Specialist
GS-1020 Illustrating is the closest match for 4512s whose strength is original illustration, infographics, and technical art rather than layout production.
Skills that carry over: Original illustration, Information graphics, Technical and concept art, Visual communication.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Combat Photographer
GS-1020 Illustrating covers visual production and graphic work that a 4541 portfolio supports. A solid adjacent target alongside the visual information series.
Skills that carry over: Visual production, Graphic and image work, Composition, Portfolio-based qualification.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Mass Communications Specialist
Match for MCs with strong illustration and graphics skills. Portfolio documentation important.
Skills that carry over: Illustration, Graphic design, Digital art, Visual storytelling.
Usually opens at: GS-5, 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
- Create technical illustrations
- Develop scientific visuals
- Design graphics
- Produce visual aids
- Support publications
- Manage illustration projects
Key competencies
Drawing Skills
Proficiency in freehand drawing and sketching.
Digital Illustration
Skill in using digital illustration software.
Visual Communication
Ability to convey information through visual imagery.
Technical Illustration
Skill in creating accurate technical and scientific illustrations.
Color Theory
Understanding of color principles and application.
Design Software
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and similar tools.
Attention to Detail
Ability to create precise, accurate illustrations.
Collaboration
Skill in working with writers, editors, and subject matter experts.
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-1020
What is a federal Illustrator?
GS-1020 Illustrators create technical and scientific illustrations, visual aids, graphics, and visual communications. They support publications, training materials, and public information at agencies requiring specialized visual content—medical illustration at NIH/VA, technical illustration at NASA/DOD.
How much does a federal Illustrator make?
GS-1020 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422) for senior illustrators. Most positions are GS-7 to GS-11 ($42,679-$82,108). Lead illustrators reach GS-11/12. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1020 positions?
At GS-5, you need a degree in illustration, fine arts, or graphic design OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized illustration experience. Portfolio demonstrating technical/scientific illustration skills essential. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and digital tools required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1020?
Yes. Military graphic design, visual communications, or illustration experience qualifies. If you created technical manuals, training illustrations, or visual aids, that experience translates directly. Your experience with military technical illustration standards is valuable.
What is the career progression for Illustrators?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-9/11. Senior illustrators and art directors reach GS-11/12. Specialization in medical, technical, or scientific illustration enhances advancement. NIH, VA, NASA, and DOD offer illustration career paths.
How do I apply for GS-1020 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Illustrator' or 'Visual Information Specialist.' NIH, VA, NASA, and DOD are employers. A strong portfolio is essential—highlight technical accuracy and digital skills. Veterans with military graphic arts experience have directly applicable backgrounds.
Ready to apply for GS-1020?
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.