Home / Federal careers / GS-1084
Visual Information
Positions involving design and production of visual communication materials including graphics, photography, and multimedia.
What GS-1084 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 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
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-1084, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, or related field
- Portfolio demonstrating visual design skills
OR
Experience: Professional experience in visual design, graphic arts, or multimedia production.
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-1084
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 Videographer
GS-1084 Visual Information covers the broader video, graphics, and multimedia program function. Marines who managed production from concept through delivery qualify well here.
Skills that carry over: Multimedia program work, Video and graphics production, Content workflow management, Visual communication.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Combat Photographer
4541s map most directly to GS-1084 Visual Information. Photography, multimedia production, and imagery management translate without friction. Search this series first.
Skills that carry over: Photography, Multimedia production, Visual storytelling, Digital asset management.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Multimedia Illustrator
Visual information pathway.
Skills that carry over: Graphic Design, Multimedia Production, Animation, Visual Communications, Software.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Design visual materials
- Create graphics and illustrations
- Produce multimedia content
- Photograph events and subjects
- Edit video and audio
- Develop visual concepts
- Manage production projects
- Maintain equipment
- Coordinate with clients
- Ensure brand consistency
Key competencies
Graphic Design
Skill in creating visual materials for print and digital media.
Layout and Composition
Ability to design effective visual layouts.
Typography
Knowledge of typography principles and font selection.
Digital Design
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and design software.
Brand Consistency
Ability to maintain visual brand standards.
Visual Communication
Skill in conveying information through graphics.
Production
Knowledge of print and digital production processes.
Project Management
Ability to manage multiple design projects.
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-1084
What is a Visual Information Specialist?
GS-1084 Visual Information Specialists design graphics, produce multimedia content, photograph events, create illustrations, and develop visual communications. They work at virtually every federal agency supporting publications, websites, training materials, and public information programs.
How much does a federal Visual Information Specialist make?
GS-1084 follows a two-grade interval: GS-5/7/9/11/12. Entry at GS-5 ($34,454), journeyman at GS-9 ($52,205-$67,865), senior specialists at GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Supervisors and creative directors reach GS-12. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-1084 positions?
At GS-5, you need a degree in graphic design, visual communications, or related field OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized visual production experience. Portfolio demonstrating design skills essential. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1084?
Yes. Military graphic design, photography, visual communications, or multimedia experience directly qualifies. If you created graphics, shot photography, or produced visual content for military publications or training, that experience translates perfectly.
What is the career progression for Visual Information Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-9/11. Senior designers and supervisors reach GS-11/12. Every agency has visual information needs. Specialization in web design, video, or specific media types enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1084 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Visual Information Specialist' or 'Graphic Designer.' Nearly all agencies hire. A strong portfolio is essential—highlight your best design work. Veterans with military graphic arts or DINFOS training have directly applicable experience.
Ready to apply for GS-1084?
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.