How Fast Can You Climb the Government (GS) Pay Ladder?!

How fast can you climb the government pay grade ladder as a GS federal employee? The answer is surprisingly fast if you decide to do it. There are different rules that govern federal government promotion and pay. I discuss and explore the topic of GS Grade promotions to reveal the time needed to climb the pay grade ladder. This video should assist you in understanding the pay grade promotion process in your federal government job.

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[Mo_Nique]

DHA (Direct Hire Authority) helped me go from a GS-5 to a GS-7 and now from a GS-7 to GS-11 with promotion potential to get to a GS-12 next year if approved by my new supervisor and at least fully successful appraisal. I took a ladder position and they put me at a 11 from a 7. My time in grade as a 7 was about to be completed next month so I could have went to a 9. I went to a job fair and they loved what they saw on my resume plus my supervisor gave a great reference. This is my 2nd year in with the government. Next year on my 3rd anniversary date I gain more PTO hours. Private sector experience, education, and my current experience helped me move up so quickly. Very exciting.

[VAMCVETS]

GS13-GS15 will be highly competitive. The only thing that would help is networking within your department or facility for others to give you great references. It is always best to keep great relationships. They will pay off later down the road.

[itsme]

I started when I was still in college at a GS 3 at the commissary. 3 agency and 6 years later i will be at a GS 12 in January. It’s a lot of dealing with BS but it can be done

[perezfamilyadventures]

The reason why GS-12 is the most populous position is because the ladder position max out at a GS-12 and many people don’t bother to interview for the GS-13. There are some that max out at a GS-13 and it’s the same situation again. Going to GS-14 to GS-15 is the hardest to do! Those are senior positions and may need a good referral to get up there within a year or two from a GS-13!

[gulfwarvet]

Currently a GS-12 hitting step 9 at the end of the year. Actually got hired under NSPS as a YA-2 then converted to the GS schedule. Thanks for the video.

[Chuum]

There are a number of other factors that tend to be kept silent for some agencies. It usually depends on what sector one gets into, as well as what series. Those areas that tend to have slow progression rates and problems keeping people, also tend to be those fields where the opportunities, pay and benefits are much better in the civilian world. You'll still see some nepotism, 'unusual selection' processes, selected people groomed for advancement, and the like in various areas. A number of other factors seem to be omitted, but the path to that gs15 is rare. The higher up the ladder, the less authorized positions there are, and the field gets extremely tight. If one's very flexible, easily adapts to change, and willing to relocate often, then that path up becomes a bit easier. If one desires stability, then advancement almost vanishes as many fields may have a gap preventing direct advancement up through an agency locally.

[thequeensconversationcorne]

I'm a GS-14 now and I am excited to cap out at a GS-15 on the pay scale after 52 weeks within the same agency. I was looking for the demographics of employees who are a GS-14 and GS-15. I started out as a GS-9.

[johnathanhicks]

Get a specialized degree like math, accounting, technology or engineering. These job series climb fast to gs 12, 13 and 14.

[IndomitableSuperHottie]

I am moving fairly quickly all in the same agency I Started in 2018 @ WG-4, 2019 WG-7, 2021 NT-3 (GS9/10), and 2022 NT-4 (GS11/12). Now I am applying for NT-5 (GS13/14) positions wish me luck.

[devinreed]

I am soon starting a position at GS-7 and this was very informative. Thank you!

[roseystroup]

I believe nepotism and who the hiring manager likes plays a big role. I have been with my agency for 15 years, I have been found best qualify for jobs more than 3 times still not getting the job not selected. I made an appointment with the hiring managers for the job I want, one told his secretary did not want to see me, the meeting is cancelled and the other hiring manager accepted me to come and see him. He couldn't tell me straight up why I was not selected for the position. I have outstanding evaluations, multiple certifications, multiple awards and recognitions. I still have not got the promotion. What is hurting me I am not mobile and I do not want to drive all if way to Los Angeles, San Diego the traffic is horrible, the wear and tear of my car. The quality of life I don't want to spend hours and hours on the freeway with heavy traffic.

[tkmonte]

A lot of IT/developer jobs have a GS-5/GS-15 ladder mainly because it would be nearly impossible to keep a developer in the feds at a GS-7/9 making 50k-ish a year depending on location when they can triple that salary in the private sector doing more "interesting" jobs. Special Agents have long ladders as well. I believe the US Marshal (USMS) has a GS-5/GS-13 ladder before they have to compete for promotion. Many other SA jobs have a GS-7/GS-12 ladder. It really depends on the job.

[toonice]

I just got my final offer for a gs 12. Feel so blessed to be starting at a high level. Hoping to make it to 15 in a decent amount of time.

[danielleasamuels]

Thank you for explaining this lol. Reading it still wasn’t making sense to me! This helped

[JohnDoe]

If you are disabled veteran with a 30% rating or higher you can go all the way from GS5 to GS12 without time in grade requirements IF YOU QUALIFY

[Phoebe-tsqe]

Hi Armand, Thank you for this channel as it is very helpful especially for we new employees.

Question #1: I was hired by (Direct Hiring Authority) as a G5, and this position advances to a GS-7, after I have a year at this position and lets say I obtain new credentials such as a Masters in Public Health Administration, would I still have to follow the grade levels or can I jump from a G-5 to a GS-10? I just want to ensure that I have a clear understanding of growth opportunity.

Question#2: How do internal positions work? can these positions allow for such a Grade skip/ increase? taking into account your credentials/experience, without necessarily requiring that you must have worked at the previous grade levels? Thanks

[janetilidan]

Was gs12-step 10 with major locality pay IHS hospital, took a 90+ break in service, new army hospital with no major locality pay can only offer gs-13 step 6. Management cannot budge to offer step 10. Over a $40k different due to locality pay. There is a DHA on job listing. Both locations not desirable but willing to go for Step 10. Actually the new army position, super short on providers, they need 9 providers but only have 2. Are they just playing hardball? Can they really not offer me Gs-13, step 10?

[seanhutchins]

What if:
You have lived in spain for 20yrs, worked ONLY For Spanish & Russian companies for the past 20+, knowledge of ITAR, tariffs and know everyone at the spanish chamber of commerce, Barcelona city council, growing political & social trends and want to work for the US as a trade lead specialist....
🤔

[cyncity]

Can you serve as GS 13 for 8 months, then change agencies accept GS 12, then 3 years later, go to another agency take a GS 13 and serve at that grade for 4 months and then apply as a GS 14?

[Recoverel]

If they hire me at the highest grade available for that job, that means that there is not much of a growth for me other than the 10 steps within that grade?