National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Salaries & Pay 2026
NIH employs 16,644 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2026). NIH's verified average salary is $147,309/year (OPM FedScope, 2026).
FTE Source: OMB Analytical Perspectives, FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 • Salary Source: OPM FWD, April 2026
NIH Pay at a Glance
Employment and salary benchmarks from OMB and OPM official publications.
The National Institutes of Health employed 16,644 civilian FTE as of FY2026 (OMB). The verified average salary for NIH is $147,309/year as of 2026 (OPM FedScope). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
NIH Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2026) | 16,644 | OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 (2024 Actual). FTE, not headcount. |
| Avg Agency Salary | $147,309 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, REDACTED records excluded. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Pay system | General Schedule (GS) + others | Most NIH civilians on GS (15 grades x 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26x/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x base pay = locality supplement. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. |
Common Occupations at NIH
Major occupational categories employed at National Institutes of Health. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- →General health scientists
- →General natural resources & biological scientists
- →Medical officers & physicians
- →Miscellaneous administration & program staff
- →Nurses
About National Institutes of Health
NIH is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services; figures reflect NIH-specific records in OPM's EHRI snapshot (subelement HE38). The primary U.S. federal agency for biomedical research, comprising 27 institutes and centers headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Funds extramural research grants and conducts intramural research with approximately 6,000 principal investigators.
Calculate Your Exact NIH Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
NIH Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the National Institutes of Health?
The verified average salary at NIH is $147,309 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data where REDACTED records are excluded. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact salary based on grade, step, and duty station.
How many employees does the NIH have?
The National Institutes of Health employed 16,644 full-time equivalent (FTE) civilian employees as of FY2026, per the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget Table 5-1. FTE figures count part-time employees as fractions of a full-time position.
How is federal pay determined at NIH?
Federal civilian pay is set by the General Schedule (GS) pay system for most employees. Pay = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). NIH employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do NIH employees receive federal benefits?
Yes. NIH employees receive the full federal benefits package: FERS retirement (pension + Social Security + TSP with agency match), FEHB health insurance, FEGLI life insurance, Federal Dental and Vision (FEDVIP), and flexible spending accounts. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
What is the FERS retirement benefit for NIH employees?
FERS pension = High-3 Average Salary × Years of Service × 1% (or 1.1% if you retire at 62+ with 20+ years). For example, a NIH employee with a $100,000 High-3 salary and 30 years of service would receive $30,000/year ($2,500/month) in FERS pension, plus Social Security and TSP savings. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Other Federal Agency Pay Pages
Salary benchmarks and employment data for every major federal agency.
Data Accuracy Notice: FTE figures are from the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget (Table 5-1, 2024 Actual), a U.S. government official publication. Salary figures come from OPM's Federal Workforce Data portal (April 2026). Agency-specific averages are shown only when the public EHRI records are representative; redaction-limited agencies use the government-wide benchmark. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.