Home / Federal careers / GS-1831
Securities Compliance Examining
Performs securities compliance work including examination of financial institutions and enforcement of securities laws.
What GS-1831 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-1831, as written.
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-1831
⚠️ SEC EXCLUSIVE SERIES: This series is retained for the sole use of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Education:
Option 1 - Undergraduate:
- Degree in business, economics, or related field
- Must include minimum 24 semester hours in business/economic subjects
- Must include minimum 6 semester hours in accounting/auditing
Option 2 - Graduate:
- Advanced degree in business administration, finance, or accounting
Experience:
GS-5 (General Experience): Background demonstrating knowledge and skill in financial/operational information analysis related to business practices. Must show ability to:
- Exercise tact and diplomacy in extensive personal contacts
- Interpret and apply legal provisions
- Analyze data and prepare clear reports
Above GS-5 (Specialized Experience): Thorough knowledge of accounting, auditing, examining, or investigating principles with experience in:
- Securities issuance, distribution, and trading
- Regulatory market operations
- Broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment company operations
Qualifying Positions Include:
- Securities examiner at broker-dealers or investment firms
- State/Federal regulatory agency examiner
- Banking professional in securities/investments
- CPA firm auditor for securities industry clients
Associated Group Standard: Use the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions alongside these Individual Occupational Requirements.
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-1831
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 manage administrative and financial records, providing a basis for understanding compliance and financial documentation.
Skills that carry over: Financial Records Management, Compliance, Report Writing.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
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
- Examine financial institutions
- Analyze financial records
- Ensure securities compliance
- Investigate violations
- Prepare examination reports
- Recommend enforcement actions
Key competencies
Securities Regulations
Knowledge of SEC regulations and securities laws.
Financial Analysis
Skill in analyzing financial statements and transactions.
Examination
Ability to conduct compliance examinations.
Fraud Detection
Skill in identifying securities fraud and violations.
Report Writing
Ability to prepare examination reports.
Investigation
Skill in investigating potential violations.
Communication
Ability to explain regulatory requirements.
Attention to Detail
Skill in reviewing complex financial records.
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-1831
What is a Securities Compliance Examiner?
A GS-1831 Securities Compliance Examiner conducts examinations of broker-dealers, investment advisers, and investment companies to ensure compliance with federal securities laws. These specialists analyze financial records, identify securities fraud and violations, and recommend enforcement actions—working exclusively for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
How much does a SEC Securities Compliance Examiner make?
SEC Compliance Examiners earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. However, SEC operates under a different pay system with higher salaries—actual SEC examiner compensation typically ranges from $70,000 to $180,000+ depending on grade and location. DC headquarters and regional offices hire most positions.
What are the requirements for GS-1831 positions?
GS-1831 is exclusive to the SEC and requires a degree in business, economics, or related field with at least 24 semester hours in business/economic subjects including 6 hours in accounting/auditing. Alternatively, an advanced degree in business administration, finance, or accounting qualifies. Deep knowledge of securities laws and financial analysis skills are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1831?
The specific educational requirements make direct substitution difficult. However, veterans with accounting, finance, or business degrees combined with military financial management experience are excellent candidates. Experience in military auditing, financial investigations, or comptroller functions provides relevant background when combined with required education.
What is the career progression for Securities Compliance Examiner?
SEC Examiners typically enter at GS-9 and progress rapidly to GS-11/12/13. Senior examiners and team leads reach GS-14. Career paths include specializing in specific exam areas (broker-dealer, investment adviser), transitioning to enforcement roles, or advancing to Branch Chief or regional leadership positions at SEC.
How do I apply for GS-1831 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Securities Compliance Examiner" or "Examiner" at SEC. The SEC headquarters in DC and regional offices are the only employers for this exclusive series. Highlight accounting background, financial analysis skills, and knowledge of securities regulations. CPA, CFA, or Series licenses strengthen applications significantly.
Ready to apply for GS-1831?
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.