Home / Federal careers / GS-1101
General Business and Industry
Performs business and industry work not covered by other specific series including business analysis and program support.
What GS-1101 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-1101, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in business, economics, or related field
- GS-7: 1 year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement
OR
Experience: General experience in business, industry, or administrative work demonstrating analytical and organizational abilities.
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-1101
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
Marine Corps Community Services Marine
GS-1101 General Business and Industry covers the NAF business operations a 4133 ran. Retail, food, recreation, and lodging P&L work lines up with the broad business series.
Skills that carry over: Business operations, P&L management, Merchandising, Customer experience.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Contracting
General business and industry positions value procurement, market research, and business acumen from contracting.
Skills that carry over: Procurement, Market research, Business analysis, Vendor management.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Operational Contract Support (OCS) Specialist
GS-1101 General Business and Industry absorbs acquisition-adjacent program and business-operations work tied to the contracting mission.
Skills that carry over: Business operations, Acquisition support, Program coordination, Market research.
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
- Analyze business operations and processes
- Develop business plans and strategies
- Coordinate program activities
- Prepare business reports
- Evaluate program effectiveness
- Provide business advisory services
Key competencies
Business Analysis
Ability to analyze business operations and identify improvements.
Project Management
Skill in planning and managing business projects.
Policy Development
Ability to develop business policies and procedures.
Communication
Skill in presenting business information to stakeholders.
Problem Solving
Ability to identify and resolve business challenges.
Data Analysis
Skill in analyzing business data and metrics.
Industry Knowledge
Understanding of business and industry practices.
Relationship Management
Ability to build and maintain business relationships.
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-1101
What is a General Business Specialist?
GS-1101 General Business and Industry Specialists perform business analysis, program support, and advisory services that don't fit more specific series. They analyze operations, develop business plans, evaluate programs, and provide business guidance at agencies requiring general business expertise.
How much does a federal Business Specialist make?
GS-1101 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for senior specialists. Most positions are GS-9 to GS-12 ($52,205-$98,422). Program managers reach GS-12/13. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-1101 positions?
At GS-5, you need a degree in business, economics, or related field OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized business analysis or program management experience. Knowledge of business principles, analysis methods, and program evaluation is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1101?
Yes. Military business operations, program management, or administrative analysis experience qualifies. If you analyzed operations, managed programs, or provided business advisory support, that experience translates. Your leadership and analytical skills are valued.
What is the career progression for Business Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 with progression to GS-11/12. Senior specialists and program managers reach GS-12/13. SBA, Commerce, and agencies with business programs offer career paths. Specialization in specific business areas enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-1101 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Business Specialist' or 'Program Specialist.' SBA, Commerce, and regulatory agencies are employers. Highlight your business analysis, program management, and advisory experience. Veterans with operations or program management backgrounds have applicable experience.
Ready to apply for GS-1101?
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.