Statistician
Performs professional statistical work including statistical surveys, data collection, and analysis.
š°GS-1530 Salary Information
2025 Base Pay (before locality adjustment)
| 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 |
Note: These are 2025 base pay rates. Most federal employees receive locality pay adjustments of 15-40%+ depending on location.
Qualification Requirements
Official OPM qualification standards for GS-1530
Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.
or
ā¢ Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
šļøTips for Veterans
- āTranslate military experience: Map duties to civilian terminology.
- āHighlight training: Include courses and certifications.
- āVeterans preference: Claim your 5 or 10-point preference.
- ā ļøNote: Degree required for this series.
šHow to Qualify for GS-1530
Step-by-step guide to landing a federal statistician position
- 1
Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
- 2
Determine Your Grade Level
Match your years of experience and education to the appropriate GS grade. Generally: GS-5 (entry), GS-7/9 (junior), GS-11/12 (journey), GS-13+ (senior).
- 3
Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
- 4
Build Your Federal Resume
Create a detailed federal resume (2-5 pages) that addresses every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact info, and specific accomplishments.
- 5
Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
šļøMilitary to Federal Crosswalk
Military jobs that transition to GS-1530
Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
CTIs analyze data and prepare reports, skills that are applicable to statistical work, though proficiency in statistical software would need to be developed.
Data Engineering
GS-1530 Statistician is an adjacent match for engineers with strong quantitative and data-quality backgrounds.
Manpower Information Systems Analyst
GS-1530 Statistician fits 0171s who lean heavily into workforce-data and people-analytics work and pursue the quantitative side.
š” Tip:Your unique military experience may qualify you even if your MOS isn't listed.
šTypical Duties
- ā¢Design and conduct statistical surveys
- ā¢Collect and analyze statistical data
- ā¢Develop sampling methodologies
- ā¢Prepare statistical reports
- ā¢Interpret statistical results
- ā¢Support policy decisions with data
šÆKey Competencies
Skill in applying statistical methods to data.
Knowledge of survey design and sampling techniques.
Proficiency in SAS, R, SPSS, or similar tools.
Ability to manage and clean large datasets.
Skill in creating statistical charts and graphics.
Ability to prepare clear statistical reports.
Understanding of statistical quality control methods.
Ability to explain statistical findings to non-statisticians.
šResume Keywords
š” Use these phrases to help ATS systems and human recruiters find your qualifications.
Quick Links
Grade Levels
āFrequently Asked Questions about GS-1530
What is a federal Statistician?
A GS-1530 Statistician designs and conducts statistical surveys, collects and analyzes data, develops sampling methodologies, and supports evidence-based policy decisions for federal agencies. These specialists work at Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC, USDA, and other agencies requiring statistical expertise to inform national statistics and policy.
How much does a federal Statistician make?
Federal Statisticians earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-9 through GS-13. A GS-12 Statistician earns $75,706-$98,422. Census Bureau (largest employer), BLS, CDC, and USDA offer positions. DC-area locality pay adds approximately 32% to base salary.
What are the requirements for GS-1530 positions?
GS-1530 requires a degree with at least 15 semester hours in statistics (or math and statistics with at least 6 hours in statistics), plus 9 additional hours in physical/biological sciences, medicine, education, engineering, or social sciences. Proficiency with statistical software (SAS, R, SPSS) and survey methodology is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1530?
Relevant military experience combined with required statistics coursework can qualify. Veterans with experience in military survey research, quality assurance, operational testing and evaluation, or manpower analysis have transferable skills. The required coursework cannot be fully substituted with experience alone, but military analytical experience strengthens applications.
What is the career progression for Statistician?
Statisticians follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-12. Senior statisticians and survey directors reach GS-13/14. Career paths include specializing in survey methodology, economic statistics, biostatistics, or demographic analysis. Some transition to leadership of major federal statistical programs.
How do I apply for GS-1530 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Statistician" or "Survey Statistician" under series 1530. Census Bureau, BLS, CDC, USDA, and DOD are primary employers. Highlight survey design experience, statistical software proficiency, and data analysis skills. Include specific statistical techniques and any publications or technical reports in your federal resume.
Ready to Apply for GS-1530?
Create a tailored federal resume that meets OPM standards.