Home / Federal careers / GS-2050
Supply Cataloging
Performs supply cataloging work including item identification, catalog maintenance, and data management.
What GS-2050 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-2050, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in business, library science, or related field
OR
Experience: Experience in supply cataloging, item management, or data management.
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-2050
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
Ammunition Stock Control and Accounting Specialist
National Stock Number management, DODIC cataloging, and lot identification map directly to GS-2050 Supply Cataloging at DLA and Joint Munitions Command. SAAS-MOD catalog experience is a near-exact match for the qualification standard.
Skills that carry over: National Stock Number cataloging, DODIC and lot identification, Item identification standards, Supply catalog maintenance.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
GS-2050 Supply Cataloging is built around aviation parts cataloging and item identification - exactly what the supply side of the AZ rate handles. NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support and DLA Aviation are the primary employers.
Skills that carry over: Aviation parts cataloging, NSN management, Item identification, Supply documentation, Federal supply system fluency.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Aviation Supply Specialist
Aviation Supply Specialists handle aircraft parts cataloging, requisitions, and supply chain — a direct match for supply cataloging at DLA, DoD depots, and VA.
Skills that carry over: Supply cataloging, Parts management, Inventory, NSN administration.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Catalog supply items
- Maintain item databases
- Identify and classify items
- Ensure data accuracy
- Support supply operations
- Process catalog changes
Key competencies
Cataloging
Skill in cataloging and classifying items.
Classification Systems
Knowledge of federal supply classification.
Data Management
Ability to maintain accurate item data.
Research
Skill in researching item specifications.
Attention to Detail
Ability to ensure data accuracy.
Systems
Proficiency in cataloging systems.
Coordination
Ability to work with suppliers and customers.
Documentation
Skill in maintaining catalog 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-2050
What is a Supply Cataloging Specialist?
A GS-2050 Supply Cataloging Specialist identifies, classifies, and catalogs items in the federal supply system. These specialists maintain item databases, assign National Stock Numbers (NSNs), research item specifications, ensure data accuracy, and support supply operations—maintaining the master data that enables the federal supply chain to function properly.
How much does a federal Supply Cataloging Specialist make?
Federal Supply Cataloging Specialists 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 Supply Cataloging Specialist earns $38,407-$49,927. DLA, military services, and federal supply management offices employ cataloging specialists.
What are the requirements for GS-2050 positions?
GS-2050 follows the administrative qualification standard. Entry at GS-5 requires a bachelor's degree in business or library science, or equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized cataloging experience. Knowledge of Federal Supply Classification, attention to detail, and database proficiency are essential competencies.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-2050?
Yes, military supply cataloging or data management experience transfers. Veterans who worked with NSNs, maintained item records, processed cataloging requests, or used federal supply classification systems have relevant backgrounds. Experience researching item specifications or maintaining supply databases provides qualifying experience.
What is the career progression for Supply Cataloging Specialist?
Supply Cataloging Specialists follow the GS-4/5/6/7/8/9 progression with journey level at GS-7. Senior specialists reach GS-9. Career paths include transitioning to GS-2001 General Supply or GS-2010 Inventory Management for higher grades, or specializing in specific commodity areas requiring deep cataloging expertise.
How do I apply for GS-2050 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Supply Cataloging" or "Item Manager" under series 2050. DLA, military logistics commands, and federal supply activities are primary employers. Highlight cataloging experience, attention to detail, database skills, and knowledge of Federal Supply Classification. Include experience with NSN assignment or item research.
Ready to apply for GS-2050?
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.