Home / Federal careers / GS-1083
Technical Writing and Editing
Performs technical writing and editing work including documentation, manuals, and technical publications.
What GS-1083 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-1083, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in technical writing, English, journalism, or a scientific/technical field
- Coursework or training in technical communication
OR
Experience: Professional experience writing or editing technical documentation, manuals, or scientific publications.
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-1083
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
Public Affairs Specialist
Army Public Affairs Specialists are trained to produce and edit content, which aligns with technical writing and editing duties.
Skills that carry over: Technical Writing, Editing, Subject Matter Understanding.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Specialists often write and edit technical content for various audiences, making them well-suited for technical writing roles.
Skills that carry over: Technical Writing, Editing, Information Design.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Mass Communication Specialist
Mass Communication Specialists create and edit content, which can be adapted to technical writing with additional training.
Skills that carry over: Editing, Information Design, Style Standards.
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 documentation
- Develop user manuals
- Edit technical publications
- Translate technical content
- Coordinate with subject matter experts
- Maintain documentation standards
Key competencies
Technical Writing
Ability to write clear technical documentation and manuals.
Subject Matter Understanding
Skill in comprehending and explaining complex technical topics.
Editing
Ability to edit technical documents for accuracy and clarity.
Information Design
Skill in organizing technical information logically.
Style Standards
Knowledge of technical documentation style guides.
Software Documentation
Experience with software user guides and help systems.
Collaboration
Ability to work with engineers, scientists, and SMEs.
Tools Proficiency
Skill in technical writing and publishing tools.
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-1083
What is a federal Technical Writer-Editor?
GS-1083 Technical Writer-Editors create documentation, user manuals, technical publications, and procedures. They translate complex technical content for various audiences, coordinate with subject matter experts, and maintain documentation standards at NASA, DOD, DOE, and technical agencies.
How much does a federal Technical Writer make?
GS-1083 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for senior technical writers and publications managers. Most positions are GS-9 to GS-12 ($52,205-$98,422). Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1083 positions?
At GS-5, you need a degree in technical writing, English, or related field OR equivalent technical writing experience. Higher grades require specialized documentation experience. Ability to understand and explain technical concepts is essential. Knowledge of specific technical domains strengthens applications.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1083?
Yes. Military technical writing, creating manuals, developing training materials, or writing procedures directly qualifies. If you wrote technical orders, maintenance procedures, or system documentation, that experience is exactly what federal agencies need.
What is the career progression for Technical Writers?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-11/12. Senior technical writers and documentation managers reach GS-12/13. NASA, DOD, and DOE offer strong technical writing career paths. Specialization in specific technical areas enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1083 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Technical Writer' or 'Technical Editor.' NASA, DOD, DOE are major employers. Highlight your technical documentation portfolio and domain expertise. Veterans with technical manual development experience have directly applicable backgrounds.
Ready to apply for GS-1083?
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.