Home / Federal careers / GS-1411
Library Technician
Performs technical library work including circulation services, cataloging support, and patron assistance.
What GS-1411 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-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-1411, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.
Note: Per OPM, this series uses the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4 years above high school |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Generally not applicable |
General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Education: One year of full-time academic study equals 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or approximately 36 weeks at 20+ classroom hours per week.
Combining Education and Experience: For grades GS-3 through GS-5, applicants may substitute education for experience. Express both as percentages; combined must equal at least 100%.
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-1411
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
Yeoman
Yeomen perform clerical and administrative duties, including record keeping and customer service, which are essential for library technician roles.
Skills that carry over: Administrative support, Customer service, Record keeping.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Administration
This role involves managing information and providing customer service, similar to assisting patrons and maintaining library systems.
Skills that carry over: Information management, Customer service, Organizational skills.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Administrative Specialist
Administrative Specialists handle records and provide support services, which are relevant to cataloging and circulation duties in libraries.
Skills that carry over: Record management, Clerical skills, Customer service.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
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
- Process library materials
- Assist patrons with circulation
- Perform basic cataloging
- Shelve and organize materials
- Maintain library records
- Provide basic reference assistance
Key competencies
Cataloging
Skill in cataloging and classifying library materials.
Circulation
Ability to manage circulation services and patron accounts.
Reference
Skill in assisting patrons with research questions.
Library Systems
Proficiency in integrated library systems.
Collection Maintenance
Ability to maintain and organize collections.
Customer Service
Skill in providing quality service to library patrons.
Database Searching
Ability to search library databases effectively.
Technology
Knowledge of library technology and digital resources.
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-1411
What is a Library Technician?
A GS-1411 Library Technician provides technical support in federal libraries—managing circulation services, assisting patrons, performing basic cataloging, shelving and organizing materials, maintaining library records, and providing reference assistance. These technicians work at military base libraries, VA medical center libraries, federal agency libraries, and the Library of Congress.
How much does a federal Library Technician make?
Federal Library Technicians earn between $30,795 (GS-4 Step 1) and $67,865 (GS-9 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-5 through GS-7. A GS-6 Library Technician earns $38,407-$49,927, while GS-7 positions pay $42,679-$55,486. DOD, VA, and Library of Congress are major employers nationwide.
What are the requirements for GS-1411 positions?
GS-1411 follows the clerical/administrative qualification standard—no degree required. Entry at GS-4 requires 1 year of general experience or 2 years of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized library experience. Proficiency with integrated library systems, cataloging basics, and strong customer service skills are essential competencies.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1411?
Absolutely. Veterans who worked in base libraries, MWR library programs, or unit resource centers have directly transferable experience. Experience managing collections, assisting patrons, using library systems, or handling information resources qualifies. Even administrative experience demonstrating organization and customer service skills can substitute for education requirements.
What is the career progression for Library Technician?
Library Technicians follow the GS-4/5/6/7/8/9 one-grade interval progression with journey level at GS-6 or GS-7. Senior technicians reach GS-8/9. Career paths include specializing in technical services, reference, or digital resources. Some technicians pursue library science degrees to transition to GS-1410 Librarian positions for higher earning potential.
How do I apply for GS-1411 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Library Technician" or "Library Assistant" under series 1411. DOD (base libraries), VA medical centers, federal agencies, and Library of Congress hire extensively. Highlight library experience, integrated library system proficiency, customer service skills, and any cataloging knowledge. Include specific library software experience in your federal resume.
Ready to apply for GS-1411?
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.