Home / Federal careers / GS-1102
Contracting
Performs contract specialist work including acquisition planning, contract negotiation, and contract administration.
What GS-1102 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-1102, as written.
Contracting Individual Occupational Requirements
Basic Requirements (GS-5 through GS-12):
- Bachelor's degree in any field, OR
- 24+ semester hours in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization/management
GS-13 and Above:
- 4+ years contracting or related experience (minimum 1 year specialized at next lower level)
- Bachelor's degree with 24+ semester hours in relevant business fields
- Completion of mandatory agency contracting training
Superior Academic Achievement: Qualifies directly for GS-7 positions.
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-1102
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
Operational Contract Support (OCS) Specialist
3044s map directly to GS-1102 Contracting. DoD Acquisition Workforce status, FAR experience, and any contracting officer warrant satisfy the core qualification.
Skills that carry over: FAR-based contracting, Source selection, Contract administration, Negotiation, Price analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Acquisition Officer
Direct translation to contracting. Highlight acquisition, contracting, and program management.
Skills that carry over: Acquisition, Contracting, Program Management, Requirements Development, Vendor Relations.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
Acquisition Manager
Acquisition leadership. Highlight acquisition management, contracting, and program management.
Skills that carry over: Acquisition Management, Contracting, Program Management, Requirements, Leadership.
Usually opens at: GS-13, GS-14, GS-15.
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
- Develop acquisition strategies
- Prepare solicitations and contracts
- Evaluate proposals and bids
- Negotiate contract terms
- Administer contracts
- Ensure regulatory compliance
Key competencies
Acquisition Planning
Ability to develop acquisition strategies and plans.
Contract Negotiation
Skill in negotiating contract terms and pricing.
FAR Knowledge
Expert understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Cost/Price Analysis
Ability to analyze contractor proposals and pricing.
Contract Administration
Skill in managing contracts and monitoring performance.
Source Selection
Ability to evaluate proposals and select contractors.
Problem Resolution
Skill in resolving contract disputes and issues.
Communication
Ability to communicate with contractors, program offices, and leadership.
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-1102
What is a federal Contract Specialist?
GS-1102 Contract Specialists manage the federal acquisition process: developing acquisition strategies, preparing solicitations, evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts, and administering contracts worth millions to billions of dollars. They work at every major agency—DOD contracting is the largest employer.
How much does a federal Contract Specialist make?
GS-1102 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-15 ($125,133-$162,672) for Contracting Officers and directors. Most journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). GS-13/14 positions are common for experienced specialists. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-1102 positions?
A bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours in business-related courses OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require FAC-C certification. DAWIA certification required for DOD positions. Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1102?
Yes—this is a PRIME career field for veterans. Military contracting, purchasing, or acquisition experience directly qualifies. If you served as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), managed government property, or worked in procurement, you have directly applicable experience. Many veterans build successful 1102 careers.
What is the career progression for Contract Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 (intern programs common), journeyman at GS-11/12, and senior specialists/Contracting Officers at GS-13/14/15. Unlimited warrant authority at senior levels. DOD, GSA, VA, and all major agencies offer robust contracting career paths. This is one of the fastest-growing federal career fields.
How do I apply for GS-1102 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Contract Specialist' or 'Contracting Officer.' DOD installations, major agencies, and GSA hire continuously. Highlight your business coursework, any COR experience, and negotiation skills. Veterans are highly valued in contracting—your understanding of mission needs is a significant advantage.
Ready to apply for GS-1102?
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.