Program Analyst labor category
Program Analyst is a government contracting labor category with levels I through IV. GSA ceiling rates run about $73–$227/hr depending on level. That's what the government pays the contractor, not your salary.
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · Data: GSA CALC+
What a Program Analyst does
In this role, your daily focus involves gathering data, producing status reports, and recommending operational improvements. Career progression is generally mapped to experience levels: Level I typically requires basic data collection skills and a bachelor degree, while Level II and III roles require increasing autonomy in managing complex project schedules and multi-million dollar budgets. By Level IV, analysts often oversee high-level strategic planning and manage subordinate teams. This career path is ideal for service members who have experience in operations management, supply chain logistics, or administrative oversight, as the fundamental skill sets of project tracking and resource allocation translate directly into the federal contracting environment.
Typical Program Analyst duties
- Develop and maintain detailed project schedules to ensure all deliverables meet strict government deadlines.
- Perform comprehensive budget analysis and cost estimation to prevent project funding shortfalls.
- Draft formal briefings and status reports for senior government officials to support high-level decision making.
- Monitor operational performance metrics to identify trends and propose process improvements.
- Coordinate cross-functional team efforts to streamline communication and remove project roadblocks.
Program Analyst levels, requirements, and GSA CALC+ rates
Levels map to years of relevant experience. A degree can substitute for years (about 2 years per step).
| Level | Experience | Most common education | GSA ceiling rate, 25th–75th ($/hr) | GSA ceiling rate, median ($/hr) | Rough salary estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | 0–3 yrs | Bachelors | $73/hr – $109/hr | $89/hr | $77k–$103k |
| Level II | 4–7 yrs | Bachelors | $91/hr – $136/hr | $113/hr | $98k–$130k |
| Level III | 8–12 yrs | Bachelors | $113/hr – $169/hr | $140/hr | $121k–$161k |
| Level IV | 13+ yrs | Bachelors | $146/hr – $227/hr | $188/hr | $163k–$218k |
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $73/hr – $109/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $89/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $77k–$103k
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $91/hr – $136/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $113/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $98k–$130k
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $113/hr – $169/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $140/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $121k–$161k
- Most common education
- Bachelors
- GSA ceiling, 25th–75th
- $146/hr – $227/hr
- GSA ceiling, median
- $188/hr
- Rough salary estimate
- $163k–$218k
GSA ceiling rate: what the government pays the contractor, not your salary. It includes overhead, benefits, and profit. Source: GSA CALC+, current contract year, synced Oct 25, 2026, 2,204 rates.
Common certifications: Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified Professional Property Specialist (CPPS), Project Management Professional (PMP), OSHA 30-Hour General Industry, Certified Professional Logistician, Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Clearance for this labor category
About 7% of Program Analyst GSA rates require a clearance. Put your clearance on the very first line of your resume, under your name and contact info. Level and status only. Never list program names, SCI caveats, or classified details. Use the free Clearance Formatter.
Military codes that map to Program Analyst
Sample Program Analyst resume bullets
Public-safe, quantified examples. Replace the numbers with your own.
- Managed a $5M annual project budget for a federal agency, reducing operational waste by 12% through rigorous data monitoring.
- Synchronized delivery schedules for 15+ complex project workstreams, ensuring 100% on-time completion for high-priority government milestones.
- Led a data-driven process improvement initiative that streamlined reporting workflows for 500+ internal users, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity.
What level Program Analyst are you?
Enter your years, education, certifications, and clearance. Get your likely level, the GSA rate range for that level, and what would move you up.
With 0 years of relevant experience and a no degree, your effective experience is about 0 years. Under the common GSA CALC+ rule that a degree step substitutes for roughly 2 years, that maps to Level I. Verify against the specific contract.
Move up · To reach Level II, add about 4 more years of relevant experience, or earn a certification the contract requires (e.g. Security+, PMP) that the contract requires.
GSA ceiling rate: what the government pays the contractor, not your salary. It includes overhead, benefits, and profit. Source: GSA CALC+, current contract year, synced Oct 25, 2026, 792 rates.
No account needed. Opens the free translator prefilled with Program Analyst. Share link encodes only your selections, no names.
Program Analyst labor category: quick answers
How does my military experience translate to a Program Analyst role?
If you managed personnel, logistics, or operational plans in the military, you possess the core organizational and analytical skills needed for this role. You simply need to translate your experience into civilian metrics like budget oversight, project timelines, and process improvement.
What is the difference between Level I and Level III roles?
Level I roles are typically focused on data collection and routine reporting under supervision. Level III roles involve higher levels of independence, complex strategic problem solving, and often include providing direct advisory support to senior government leadership.
Is a security clearance always required for a Program Analyst?
No, only about 6 percent of roles in this category require a security clearance. However, having an active clearance can open doors to specific high-priority programs and often increases your total compensation.
How is pay structured for Program Analysts?
Pay is typically determined by your experience level and the complexity of the project. Median hourly rates range from roughly $88 for junior positions to over $146 for senior-level expert analysts on federal contracts.
Reviewed by the Good to Go team · Last updated 2026-10-21 · Sources: GSA CALC+, O*NET
More about this roleShow
In this role, your daily focus involves gathering data, producing status reports, and recommending operational improvements. Career progression is generally mapped to experience levels: Level I typically requires basic data collection skills and a bachelor degree, while Level II and III roles require increasing autonomy in managing complex project schedules and multi-million dollar budgets. By Level IV, analysts often oversee high-level strategic planning and manage subordinate teams. This career path is ideal for service members who have experience in operations management, supply chain logistics, or administrative oversight, as the fundamental skill sets of project tracking and resource allocation translate directly into the federal contracting environment.
Each contract defines its own labor categories and levels, so confirm the fit against the posting. Pay figures here are estimates from GSA CALC+ ceiling rates, not a guarantee.
Find your Program Analyst level
Enter your years, education, certifications, and clearance. Get your likely level and the GSA rate range for it.
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