Home / Federal careers / GS-2150
Transportation Operations
Performs transportation operations work including fleet management, vehicle dispatch, and operations coordination.
What GS-2150 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-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 |
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-2150, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in transportation, logistics, or business
OR
Experience: Experience in transportation operations, fleet management, or logistics.
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-2150
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
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling)
ABHs map directly to GS-2150 Transportation Operations. Aircraft movement, ground-handling, and traffic-control experience translates without friction.
Skills that carry over: Aircraft and equipment movement, Transportation control, Operations coordination, Safety supervision.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Aircraft Loadmaster
Transportation Operations. The most direct federal match — manages military and government cargo movement at aerial ports worldwide. USTRANSCOM, AMC, and installation-level positions.
Skills that carry over: Cargo operations, Weight and balance, Shipment planning, Hazardous cargo handling, Load planning.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember
13M multi-vehicle convoy operations and fire mission coordination map directly to Transportation Operations roles at DoD installations and DLA facilities.
Skills that carry over: Convoy operations, Multi-vehicle coordination, Communications, Mission planning.
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
- Manage fleet operations
- Dispatch vehicles and drivers
- Schedule transportation services
- Monitor vehicle maintenance
- Ensure safety compliance
- Manage driver performance
Key competencies
Operations Management
Ability to manage transportation operations.
Fleet Management
Skill in managing vehicles and equipment.
Scheduling
Ability to schedule transportation services.
Safety
Knowledge of transportation safety requirements.
Maintenance
Understanding of vehicle maintenance needs.
Personnel
Skill in supervising transportation personnel.
Regulations
Knowledge of DOT regulations.
Problem Solving
Ability to resolve operational issues.
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-2150
What is a Transportation Operations Specialist?
A Transportation Operations Specialist (GS-2150) manages day-to-day transportation operations including fleet management, vehicle dispatch, and operations coordination. They schedule transportation services, monitor vehicle maintenance, ensure DOT safety compliance, and manage driver performance at federal facilities.
How much does a federal Transportation Operations Specialist make?
Federal Transportation Operations Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $98,422 (GS-12 Step 10) on the base pay scale. Most positions at GS-9/11 earn $52,205-$82,108 annually. Locality pay adjustments can increase total compensation by 15-30% depending on duty location.
What are the requirements for GS-2150 positions?
GS-2150 positions require a bachelor's degree in transportation, logistics, or business, OR equivalent experience in transportation operations or fleet management. Experience can substitute for education. Specialized experience at each grade level is required for advancement, demonstrating progressively responsible operations management.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-2150?
Absolutely. Military motor pool management, fleet operations, and transportation dispatching directly translate to GS-2150 requirements. MOSs like Army 88M NCOs, Marine Corps Motor Transport Operations, or Air Force Vehicle Operations Supervisors provide excellent qualifying experience. Document your fleet size, safety record, and operational improvements.
What is the career progression for Transportation Operations?
Transportation Operations follows a two-grade interval ladder: GS-5/7/9/11/12. Entry positions start at GS-5 or GS-7 with fleet dispatch duties. Journey-level at GS-9/11 involves managing complete operations. GS-12 positions typically involve supervisory responsibilities or managing large-scale fleet programs.
How do I apply for GS-2150 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Transportation Operations' or series '2150.' Emphasize your fleet management experience, scheduling capabilities, DOT safety compliance knowledge, and personnel supervision. Major employers include DOD installations, VA medical centers, and other agencies with vehicle fleets. Veterans receive preference points.
Ready to apply for GS-2150?
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.