Home / Federal careers / GS-1082
Writing and Editing
Performs professional writing and editing work including technical writing, copyediting, and publication development.
What GS-1082 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 |
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-1082, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field
- Demonstrated writing and editing abilities
OR
Experience: Professional experience in writing, editing, or journalism demonstrating ability to produce clear, effective written content.
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-1082
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
Historian
GS-1082 Writing and Editing fits historians whose strongest pitch is the writing itself, across agency publication and editorial offices.
Skills that carry over: Editorial writing, Document production, Source-based drafting, Review and editing.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Public Affairs
Writing and editing experience from news releases, fact sheets, and articles maps to GS-1082 Writing and Editing. Strong fit for the writers and editors among Public Affairs veterans.
Skills that carry over: News writing, Editing, Content development, Style and accuracy.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Combat Videographer
GS-1082 Writing and Editing suits Marines who scripted and shaped video packages. Scripting a package is editing work the federal system recognizes.
Skills that carry over: Scriptwriting, Editing for clarity, Content structuring, Message development.
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
- Write technical documents
- Edit manuscripts and reports
- Develop publications
- Ensure editorial standards
- Coordinate with authors
- Manage publication schedules
Key competencies
Writing
Ability to write clear, engaging content for various audiences.
Editing
Skill in editing for grammar, style, clarity, and accuracy.
Research
Ability to research topics and synthesize information.
Style Guides
Knowledge of AP, Chicago, or government style guidelines.
Proofreading
Attention to detail in reviewing written materials.
Content Management
Skill in managing content across multiple platforms.
Deadline Management
Ability to produce quality work under tight deadlines.
Collaboration
Skill in working with subject matter experts and stakeholders.
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-1082
What is a federal Writer-Editor?
GS-1082 Writer-Editors create and edit content: reports, publications, speeches, web content, and official communications. They ensure editorial standards, coordinate with authors, and manage publication schedules at agencies requiring professional writing and editing capabilities.
How much does a federal Writer-Editor make?
GS-1082 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for senior editors and publications managers. Most positions are GS-9 to GS-12 ($52,205-$98,422). Editorial directors reach GS-12/13. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-1082 positions?
At GS-5, you need a degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized writing/editing experience. Portfolio demonstrating strong writing and editing skills essential. Subject matter expertise enhances competitiveness.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1082?
Yes. Military public affairs writing, command information, or technical writing experience qualifies. If you wrote news releases, edited publications, or developed official content, that experience translates. DINFOS training and your writing portfolio demonstrate qualifications.
What is the career progression for Writer-Editors?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-11/12. Senior editors and publications managers reach GS-12/13. Every major agency has writing/editing positions. Specialization in specific content areas (technical, scientific, policy) enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1082 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Writer-Editor' or 'Editorial Specialist.' Most agencies hire writers. Highlight your writing portfolio, editing experience, and any specialized knowledge. Veterans with public affairs or technical writing backgrounds have applicable experience.
Ready to apply for GS-1082?
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.