Home / Federal careers / GS-1825
Aviation Safety
Performs aviation safety work including safety program management, regulatory compliance, and safety analysis.
What GS-1825 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-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 |
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-1825, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in aviation, aerospace engineering, or related technical field
OR
Experience: Experience in aviation operations, aviation safety, or aircraft maintenance.
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-1825
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
Aerospace Physiology
FAA Aviation Safety Inspector positions include a medical and physiological track. Physiological incident investigation experience maps directly. CAMI Oklahoma City and FAA regional offices.
Skills that carry over: Physiological incident investigation, Aircrew safety analysis, Regulatory compliance, Root cause analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Naval Aircrewman
Aviation Safety Inspector at FAA, NTSB, DoD, and Coast Guard civilian programs. Active aircrew time and platform qualifications count as qualifying experience.
Skills that carry over: Aircrew operations, Platform qualifications, NATOPS / safety standards, Mission systems, Flight records.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
Executive Mission Aviator
Aviation Safety series rewards firsthand knowledge of crew procedures, cabin safety, and aircraft systems from a flight-status crew role.
Skills that carry over: Aircraft systems knowledge, Crew procedures, Cabin and operational safety, Standardization.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
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
- Manage aviation safety programs
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Conduct safety analyses
- Develop safety policies
- Investigate safety concerns
- Train personnel on safety
Key competencies
Aviation Regulations
Knowledge of FAA regulations and aviation standards.
Safety Analysis
Ability to analyze aviation safety data and trends.
Inspection
Skill in conducting aviation safety inspections.
Risk Assessment
Ability to identify and assess aviation risks.
Aircraft Systems
Understanding of aircraft systems and operations.
Enforcement
Skill in taking safety enforcement actions.
Communication
Ability to communicate safety requirements.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing safety reports and findings.
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-1825
What is an Aviation Safety Specialist?
A GS-1825 Aviation Safety Specialist manages aviation safety programs, ensures regulatory compliance, conducts safety analyses, and investigates safety concerns for the FAA. These specialists—often called Aviation Safety Inspectors—certify pilots, inspect aircraft, audit airlines, enforce safety regulations, and ensure the nation's aviation system maintains the highest safety standards.
How much does a federal Aviation Safety Specialist make?
Federal Aviation Safety Specialists earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-12 through GS-14. A GS-13 Aviation Safety Inspector earns $90,025-$117,034. FAA is the primary employer with positions at Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) nationwide.
What are the requirements for GS-1825 positions?
GS-1825 requires significant aviation experience. Operations inspectors need commercial pilot certificates with instrument rating and flight time requirements. Maintenance inspectors need A&P certificates with extensive aircraft maintenance experience. Avionics inspectors need specialized electronics background. Deep knowledge of FAA regulations (FARs) is essential for all specialties.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1825?
Military aviation experience is highly valued. Pilots can use military flight time toward FAA certificate requirements. Military aircraft maintainers often qualify for A&P certificates through experience-based testing. Veterans with aviation safety officer backgrounds, quality assurance experience, or flight standards work have directly transferable qualifications.
What is the career progression for Aviation Safety Specialist?
Aviation Safety Specialists typically enter at GS-9 or GS-11 based on qualifications and advance to GS-12/13. Senior inspectors and team supervisors reach GS-14. Career paths include specializing in operations, maintenance, or avionics; advancing to FSDO management; or transitioning to FAA headquarters policy positions.
How do I apply for GS-1825 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Aviation Safety Inspector" or "Aviation Safety" under series 1825. FAA Flight Standards Service is the primary employer. Highlight pilot certificates, flight hours, A&P certificates, maintenance experience, and FAA regulatory knowledge. Include specific aircraft types, inspection experience, and any DER (Designated Engineering Representative) credentials.
Ready to apply for GS-1825?
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.