What are the salaries for BLS positions?
The majority of the positions at BLS are classified under the Federal Government’s “General Schedule” (GS). The duties and responsibilities of a job determine the GS number or grade level assigned to the job. Most entry-level professional positions begin at a GS-7 or GS-9. New employees usually are appointed at Step 1 of the appropriate GS grade level. You will receive periodic salary increases called “within grade increases” or “step increases” if your work is at an acceptable level. You may advance to the next higher step in a grade level every year until you reach the fourth step, at which time you may advance every two years until the seventh step. Beyond the seventh step, the waiting period is 3 years up to the top of the salary range. State and local taxes, Social Security, Retirement, and Medicare will be deducted from your paycheck. Office of Personnel Management Pay Tables: www.opm.gov/oca/07tables/index.asp.
