Home / Federal careers / GS-1046
Language Clerical
Performs language support work including document processing, translation assistance, and administrative support in foreign languages.
What GS-1046 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-3 | $27,434 | $28,349 | $29,264 | $30,179 | $31,094 | $32,009 | $32,924 | $33,839 | $34,754 | $35,660 |
| GS-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
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-1046, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-1046: This series is marked with an asterisk (*) indicating Individual Occupational Requirements apply. Language Clerical positions require demonstrated proficiency in one or more foreign languages in addition to English.
Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate reading, writing, and/or speaking proficiency in the required foreign language(s) at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position. Proficiency may be verified through language proficiency testing.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4 years above high school |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Generally not applicable |
General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Education: One year of full-time academic study equals 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or approximately 36 weeks at 20+ classroom hours per week.
Combining Education and Experience: For grades GS-3 through GS-5, applicants may substitute education for experience. Express both as percentages; combined must equal at least 100%.
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-1046
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
Cryptologic Language Analyst
Cryptologic Language Analysts have direct experience in processing and translating foreign language materials, aligning closely with the duties of a Language Clerical position.
Skills that carry over: Language Skills, Document Processing, Translation.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
CTIs are experts in foreign languages and translation, directly aligning with the Language Clerical series.
Skills that carry over: Language Proficiency, Translation, Communication.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Linguist
Marine Corps Linguists are trained in foreign language translation and document handling, which are key components of the Language Clerical role.
Skills that carry over: Foreign Language Proficiency, Translation, Administrative Support.
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
- Process foreign language documents
- Assist with translations
- Provide language support
- Maintain language records
- Support language specialists
- Handle correspondence
Key competencies
Language Skills
Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking a foreign language.
Typing
Ability to type accurately in both English and foreign languages.
Translation
Skill in translating routine correspondence and documents.
Communication
Ability to communicate with foreign language speakers.
Clerical Skills
Proficiency in general office and clerical procedures.
Data Entry
Skill in entering data in multiple languages.
Proofreading
Ability to review documents for accuracy in multiple languages.
Customer Service
Skill in assisting foreign language speaking customers.
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-1046
What is a Language Clerical position?
GS-1046 Language Clerks provide support in foreign language environments: processing documents, assisting with translations, handling correspondence, and supporting language specialists. They work at State Department, intelligence agencies, and organizations requiring bilingual administrative support.
How much does a federal Language Clerk make?
GS-1046 positions range from GS-3 ($27,434) to GS-7 ($42,679-$55,486). Most positions are GS-4 to GS-6 ($30,795-$49,927). These are support positions with ceiling lower than Language Specialist. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1046 positions?
Working proficiency in a foreign language plus general clerical experience. At GS-4, you need 1 year of experience or 2 years of education. Language ability demonstrated through testing. Typing/word processing proficiency in both English and target language often required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1046?
Yes. Military clerical experience combined with language ability qualifies. If you processed documents in foreign languages, supported linguists, or provided bilingual admin support, that experience translates. Your language skills and administrative experience are both valued.
What is the career progression for Language Clerks?
Entry at GS-3/4 with progression to GS-6/7. Many use this as a stepping stone to Language Specialist (GS-1040) by improving language proficiency. Additional language training and higher DLPT scores open advancement opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-1046 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Language Clerk' or 'Foreign Language Clerk.' State Department and intelligence agencies are employers. Emphasize your language ability and clerical skills. Veterans with language training and admin experience have applicable backgrounds.
Ready to apply for GS-1046?
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.