Federal Job Series Salaries 2026 — Pay by GS Occupation
Compare average federal salaries across 151 GS occupational series. Data from OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Employment Snapshot, July 2026).
Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Employment Snapshot, July 2026) • Field: annualized_adjusted_basic_pay (base + locality pay) • REDACTED records excluded
Average Federal Salary by Job Series (2026)
Coverage metrics from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, July 2026.
The government-wide average federal civilian salary is $117,451/year as of 2026 (OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (data.opm.gov), April 2026). Salaries vary significantly by occupational series — from ~$47K for Custodial Workers (GS-3566) to ~$301K for Medical Officers (GS-0602, VA physicians under Title 38). FedTools shows verified series-specific averages for 151 of 151 GS series in this batch; redaction-limited series use the government-wide benchmark.
Federal GS Occupation Salary Table (July 2026)
Sorted by non-redacted record count (largest workforce first). Click any series to see pay details, top agencies, and calculator links.
| Series | Title | Non-Redacted Records | Avg Salary | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0610 | Nurse | 97,352 8.6% redacted | $132,613 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0679 | Medical Support Assistance | 36,685 8.0% redacted | $58,281 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0602 | Medical Officer | 32,824 5.5% redacted | $302,253 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0962 | Contact Representative | 28,734 2.2% redacted | $64,629 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0105 | Social Insurance Administration | 24,070 0.2% redacted | $106,098 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0185 | Social Work | 20,578 8.1% redacted | $112,201 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2152 | Air Traffic Control | 19,833 8.4% redacted | $152,848 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0996 | Veterans Claims Examining | 17,940 0.2% redacted | $92,815 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0601 | General Health Science | 16,175 7.3% redacted | $133,927 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0620 | Practical Nurse | 14,532 13.4% redacted | $75,904 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0621 | Nursing Assistant | 14,079 3.1% redacted | $55,868 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0660 | Pharmacist | 13,567 7.6% redacted | $166,817 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-3566 | Custodial Working | 11,781 2.7% redacted | $47,165 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0462 | Forestry Technician | 10,848 0.6% redacted | $61,753 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0592 | Tax Examining | 10,621 0.0% redacted | $56,637 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0089 | Emergency Management Specialist | 10,011 16.9% redacted | $100,235 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0456 | Wildland Fire Management | 9,824 0.0% redacted | $64,573 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1224 | Patent Examining | 9,399 0.0% redacted | $157,705 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0180 | Psychology | 9,094 13.0% redacted | $142,128 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0901 | General Legal and Kindred Administration | 7,567 13.1% redacted | $82,988 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2101 | Transportation Specialist | 7,203 14.4% redacted | $123,488 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0661 | Pharmacy Technician | 6,342 17.3% redacted | $70,934 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0647 | Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist | 5,291 11.1% redacted | $102,210 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0644 | Medical Technologist | 5,278 14.1% redacted | $117,340 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1862 | Consumer Safety Inspection | 5,248 0.4% redacted | $74,005 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-7408 | Food Service Working | 5,224 8.0% redacted | $49,064 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0404 | Biological Science Technician | 5,085 3.3% redacted | $56,404 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0025 | Park Ranger | 4,905 5.6% redacted | $75,025 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0570 | Financial Institution Examining | 4,534 3.5% redacted | $169,007 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1825 | Aviation Safety | 4,166 1.1% redacted | $143,150 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0457 | Soil Conservation | 4,092 0.1% redacted | $89,509 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1165 | Loan Specialist | 3,927 1.2% redacted | $95,444 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0649 | Medical Instrument Technician | 3,835 11.1% redacted | $81,266 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0110 | Economist | 3,592 5.1% redacted | $158,449 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0696 | Consumer Safety | 3,430 0.2% redacted | $138,638 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0603 | Physician Assistant | 3,387 12.5% redacted | $170,758 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-7404 | Cooking | 3,357 13.3% redacted | $72,309 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0633 | Physical Therapist | 3,290 12.6% redacted | $124,646 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0622 | Medical Supply Aide And Technician | 3,131 6.5% redacted | $68,971 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0685 | Public Health Program Specialist | 3,120 0.4% redacted | $142,013 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0630 | Dietitian And Nutritionist | 3,023 6.3% redacted | $101,366 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1109 | Grants Management | 2,943 3.3% redacted | $130,024 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1530 | Statistics | 2,869 3.9% redacted | $140,543 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0107 | Health Insurance Administration | 2,446 0.0% redacted | $149,504 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1001 | General Arts And Information | 2,421 13.9% redacted | $127,116 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0665 | Speech Pathology And Audiology | 2,332 7.5% redacted | $114,117 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1340 | Meteorology | 2,263 9.6% redacted | $123,761 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0967 | Passport And Visa Examining | 2,015 1.1% redacted | $92,570 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0680 | Dental Officer | 2,009 7.6% redacted | $228,941 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0631 | Occupational Therapist | 1,954 9.7% redacted | $119,321 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0486 | Wildlife Biology | 1,763 5.9% redacted | $95,653 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0006 | Correctional Institution Administration | 1,645 2.9% redacted | $122,376 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0482 | Fish Biology | 1,552 4.6% redacted | $116,557 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1980 | Agricultural Commodity Grading | 1,551 0.1% redacted | $69,663 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0460 | Forestry | 1,528 5.9% redacted | $89,058 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0102 | Social Science Aid And Technician | 1,511 1.1% redacted | $67,634 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1315 | Hydrology | 1,487 2.6% redacted | $116,613 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0701 | Veterinary Medical Science | 1,448 2.8% redacted | $132,642 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0403 | Microbiology | 1,412 14.1% redacted | $143,518 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0662 | Optometrist | 1,390 7.3% redacted | $158,347 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1316 | Hydrologic Technician | 1,298 4.3% redacted | $76,015 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1529 | Mathematical Statistics | 1,275 4.9% redacted | $159,465 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1421 | Archives Technician | 1,262 1.0% redacted | $68,610 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0935 | Administrative Law Judge | 1,179 0.0% redacted | $208,613 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0060 | Chaplain | 1,100 10.6% redacted | $104,427 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0638 | Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist | 1,030 2.6% redacted | $95,034 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1160 | Financial Analysis | 932 5.3% redacted | $172,798 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0858 | Bioengineering And Biomedical Engineering | 930 10.7% redacted | $145,617 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0408 | Ecology | 926 6.2% redacted | $122,399 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1176 | Building Management | 887 12.6% redacted | $122,169 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1849 | Wage And Hour Investigation | 880 0.1% redacted | $121,304 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0668 | Podiatrist | 877 2.1% redacted | $209,882 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1822 | Mine Safety And Health Inspection | 870 0.0% redacted | $112,516 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0998 | Claims Assistance And Examining | 836 10.0% redacted | $67,326 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1715 | Vocational Rehabilitation | 819 0.0% redacted | $87,923 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0991 | Worker's Compensation Claims Examining | 818 0.0% redacted | $120,591 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0672 | Prosthetic Representative | 726 0.1% redacted | $94,717 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0454 | Rangeland Management | 691 0.7% redacted | $88,531 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2186 | Technical Systems Program Manager | 670 0.0% redacted | $191,339 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4754 | Cemetery Caretaking | 631 2.3% redacted | $63,587 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1860 | Equal Opportunity Investigation | 589 11.6% redacted | $111,533 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0828 | Construction Analyst | 585 0.5% redacted | $97,456 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0470 | Soil Science | 578 0.7% redacted | $108,836 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0405 | Pharmacology | 565 2.2% redacted | $187,509 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0458 | Soil Conservation Technician | 501 0.0% redacted | $59,269 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0526 | Tax Specialist | 488 0.0% redacted | $88,595 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2121 | Railroad Safety | 487 1.8% redacted | $119,971 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1420 | Archivist | 481 16.8% redacted | $120,362 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1140 | Trade Specialist | 479 0.0% redacted | $147,074 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2123 | Motor Carrier Safety | 471 0.0% redacted | $94,361 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0360 | Equal Opportunity Compliance | 449 6.7% redacted | $136,660 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1130 | Public Utilities Specialist | 426 6.4% redacted | $132,175 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0667 | Orthotist And Prosthetist | 404 6.0% redacted | $106,758 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1361 | Navigational Information | 393 2.5% redacted | $147,718 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0485 | Wildlife Refuge Management | 391 0.3% redacted | $113,802 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-5003 | Gardening | 390 17.2% redacted | $67,168 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0440 | Genetics | 388 0.5% redacted | $143,053 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0540 | Voucher Examining | 377 3.3% redacted | $59,296 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0704 | Animal Health Technician | 372 10.4% redacted | $66,928 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1831 | Securities Compliance Examining | 371 0.0% redacted | $244,781 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1146 | Agricultural Marketing | 367 0.0% redacted | $125,774 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1226 | Design Patent Examining | 365 0.0% redacted | $138,257 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1630 | Cemetery Administration Services | 364 11.7% redacted | $83,797 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0023 | Outdoor Recreation Planning | 362 1.1% redacted | $95,791 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0414 | Entomology | 354 6.6% redacted | $136,566 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0415 | Toxicology | 340 6.7% redacted | $156,048 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1863 | Food Inspection | 337 0.3% redacted | $60,815 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0987 | Tax Law Specialist | 328 0.0% redacted | $153,958 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1145 | Agricultural Program Specialist | 319 0.0% redacted | $113,693 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0480 | Fish And Wildlife Administration | 317 1.6% redacted | $166,910 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0648 | Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist | 305 5.9% redacted | $123,765 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0993 | Railroad Retirement Claims Examining | 293 0.0% redacted | $94,270 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0119 | Economics Assistant | 288 0.7% redacted | $58,977 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0881 | Petroleum Engineering | 280 0.0% redacted | $139,506 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1654 | Printing Services | 271 16.6% redacted | $130,303 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-5001 | Miscellaneous Plant And Animal Work | 258 0.4% redacted | $68,269 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0430 | Botany | 253 5.9% redacted | $95,973 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4402 | Bindery Working | 251 2.3% redacted | $103,790 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0635 | Kinesiotherapy | 246 3.1% redacted | $100,424 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0187 | Social Services | 241 15.7% redacted | $64,783 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0199 | Social Science Student Trainee | 228 14.9% redacted | $49,708 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0890 | Agricultural Engineering | 219 0.9% redacted | $114,274 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-3869 | Metal Forming Machine Operating | 218 12.1% redacted | $72,166 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0434 | Plant Pathology | 199 0.0% redacted | $137,382 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0244 | Labor-Management Relations Examining | 188 0.0% redacted | $147,139 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4401 | Miscellaneous Printing And Reproduction | 185 0.5% redacted | $85,956 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4406 | Letterpress Operating | 179 0.0% redacted | $137,690 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2154 | Air Traffic Assistance | 176 15.4% redacted | $84,163 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0965 | Land Law Examining | 176 0.0% redacted | $81,631 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0455 | Range Technician | 174 0.6% redacted | $58,179 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0142 | Workforce Development | 173 0.6% redacted | $131,862 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2125 | Highway Safety | 171 0.0% redacted | $136,503 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0471 | Agronomy | 155 3.1% redacted | $114,600 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0135 | Foreign Agricultural Affairs | 147 0.0% redacted | $153,546 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4403 | Hand Composing | 139 0.0% redacted | $102,669 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2110 | Transportation Industry Analysis | 133 0.7% redacted | $152,549 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0050 | Funeral Directing | 125 15.0% redacted | $93,395 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-5415 | Air Conditioning Equipment Operating | 125 3.8% redacted | $76,663 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0332 | Computer Operation | 123 8.9% redacted | $66,972 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-6941 | Bulk Money Handling | 122 0.0% redacted | $69,329 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4454 | Intaglio Press Operating | 120 0.0% redacted | $137,101 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-2230 | Dhs Cybersecurity Specialist | 119 0.8% redacted | $159,928 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-1147 | Agricultural Market Reporting | 119 0.0% redacted | $100,284 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0160 | Civil Rights Analysis | 95 9.5% redacted | $133,888 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0437 | Horticulture | 95 6.9% redacted | $109,749 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-9901 | Miscellaneous Vessel Jobs | 69 0.0% redacted | $60,500 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0241 | Mediation | 67 0.0% redacted | $157,432 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0106 | Unemployment Insurance | 60 0.0% redacted | $133,567 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0435 | Plant Physiology | 59 0.0% redacted | $140,888 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-4417 | Offset Press Operating | 56 5.1% redacted | $118,707 OPM FedScope | View → |
| GS-0487 | Animal Science | 56 0.0% redacted | $141,518 OPM FedScope | View → |
Series-specific averages use OPM EHRI records when redaction ≤ 20% and sample ≥ 50. Redaction-limited series show the government-wide benchmark instead of a misleading partial average. View occupation salary data on OPM FedScope →
How Federal Occupation Pay Works
Most federal civilian employees are paid under the General Schedule (GS) system, which assigns pay based on grade (GS-1 through GS-15), step (1 through 10), and duty-station locality. Your occupational series determines which grades and steps you can be assigned to — not your pay directly.
Total Pay = Base Pay x (1 + Locality Rate)Example: GS-11 Step 5 base pay ($72,303) in Washington DC (33.94% locality) = $96,843 total salary.
Some series operate under special pay plans that can exceed the standard GS cap of $197,200:
- →Title 38 (VA): Nurses (0610), physicians (0602), pharmacists (0660), and other VA clinical staff are often paid under Title 38, which allows above-GS-cap pay to compete with private-sector healthcare.
- →FAA FV Pay Band: Air traffic controllers (2152) use the FAA's FV pay band (D through G) rather than standard GS grades.
- →SES (Senior Executive Service): Senior positions across series may be assigned to the SES system rather than GS.
Find Your Exact Federal Salary
The series average is a benchmark. Your actual salary depends on your grade, step, and duty station. Our free calculator uses OPM's official 2026 tables.
Federal Job Series Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average federal salary by job series in 2026?
Salaries vary widely by occupational series. Among the highest-volume series in the July 2026 OPM snapshot: Nurses (GS-0610) average $131,998; Air Traffic Controllers (GS-2152) average $152,688; Pharmacists (GS-0660) average $166,921; and Medical Officers (GS-0602, primarily VA physicians) average $300,715 under the Title 38 special pay plan. The government-wide average across all non-redacted records is $117,451. Source: OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, July 2026.
What is a GS occupational series code?
The General Schedule (GS) occupational series is a 4-digit code used by OPM to classify federal jobs by occupational type. For example, 2210 = Information Technology Management, 0610 = Nurse, 0905 = Attorney. Each series has its own qualification standards, grade structure, and typical duties. Use our GS Pay Calculator to look up the pay for any grade and step.
Why are some series suppressed (no average shown)?
OPM redacts salary records for privacy-sensitive positions (DoD, law enforcement, intelligence). FedTools applies a YMYL guardrail: if a series' redaction rate exceeds 20%, or fewer than 50 non-redacted records exist, we suppress the average rather than publish a misleading partial figure. The largest suppressed series include 2210 (IT Management), 0343 (Management Analysis), and 1102 (Contracting), which are heavily redacted due to DoD concentration.
How is federal occupation pay different from agency pay?
Your federal salary is determined by (1) your GS pay plan, grade, and step, and (2) your duty station locality adjustment — not your occupational series directly. However, occupational series determines which grade levels are typically assigned (e.g., attorneys typically enter at GS-11–GS-13). Some series like nurses (VA Title 38) or air traffic controllers (FAA FV band) use specialized pay plans outside the standard GS table. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant salary lookup.
Why does the Medical Officer (0602) average exceed $300,000?
VA and HHS physicians are paid under the Title 38 special pay plan, which allows above-GS-cap compensation to recruit and retain clinical physicians competing with private-sector medicine. The standard GS Executive Schedule cap is $197,200, but physicians at VA are explicitly authorized by statute to receive higher total pay. The $300,715 average is accurate and verified against 33,006 non-redacted OPM records with a 5.9% redaction rate.
Data Accuracy Notice (YMYL): Salary figures are from the OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (EHRI Employment Snapshot, July 2026). The annualized_adjusted_basic_pay field captures base pay + locality pay under all pay plans. REDACTED records are excluded per OPM data release policy. FedTools publishes series-specific averages only when the non-redacted sample is representative (redaction ≤ 20%, n ≥ 50). FedTools does not fabricate, estimate, or adjust official government figures.