Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) Records included: 8,966 Redaction rate: 13.6%

GS-0180 Psychology — Pay at a Glance

The GS-0180 Psychology series showed 8,966 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $143,394/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.

$143K
GS-0180 verified avg salary (2026)
9.0K
Non-redacted OPM records
GS-0180
OPM occupational series

Salary = base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. REDACTED records (OPM data release policy) are excluded from averages. Pay plan: General Schedule (GS) / Title 38 (VA). View occupation salary detail on OPM FedScope →

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GS-0180 Employment Overview

GS-0180 Psychology workforce data. Source: OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
MetricValueSource & Notes
Avg Series Salary$143,394OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 8,966 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits.
Non-redacted records (sample size)8,966OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy.
Redaction rate13.6%OPM redacts salary records for privacy-sensitive positions (DoD, law enforcement, intelligence). FedTools suppresses series averages when redaction exceeds 20%.
Pay plan(s)General Schedule (GS) / Title 38 (VA)Primary pay plan(s) used for this occupational series in the federal government.
Typical gradesGS-13 to GS-15 (GS scale); VP-II to VP-III (VA Title 38)Most common grade range for this series. Actual assignment depends on the position description and agency.
Locality pay17.06% – 44.15%Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate × base pay = locality supplement. Included in the average salary above.
Pay cap (2026)$197,200Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. Title 38 and special pay plans may exceed this cap.

Top Agencies Employing GS-0180 Psychologys

Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.

  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Department of Defense (DoD)
  • Department of Justice (DOJ — Bureau of Prisons)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Key Duties — GS-0180 Psychology

Representative duties for the 0180 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.

  • Individual and group psychotherapy for PTSD, depression, and TBI (VA)
  • Neuropsychological assessment and cognitive rehabilitation
  • Forensic psychological evaluation (BOP, courts)
  • Research and program evaluation (NIMH, VA Research Service)
  • Training and supervision of psychology interns and residents

About the GS-0180 Psychology Series

Federal psychologists are overwhelmingly licensed doctoral-level clinicians (PhD, PsyD, EdD). VA is the largest single employer — its Psychology Training Program is one of the nation's largest pre-doctoral internship programs. The $143,394 average reflects the GS-13 to GS-15 grade range typical of fully licensed, independent-practice psychologists; VA Title 38 allows additional clinical pay above the GS scale for senior practitioners. DoD military-installation psychologists account for most of the 13.6% redaction.

Calculate Your Exact GS-0180 Salary

Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.

GS-0180 Psychology — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a GS-0180 Psychology?
The verified average salary for the GS-0180 Psychology series is $143,394 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (8,966 non-redacted records; 13.6% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0180 series?
The GS-0180 Psychology series typically spans GS-13 to GS-15 (GS scale); VP-II to VP-III (VA Title 38). Actual grade assignment depends on the position description, agency, and your qualifications. Use our GS Pay Calculator to look up the exact salary for any grade, step, and locality.
Which agencies employ GS-0180 Psychologys?
The largest federal employers of GS-0180 Psychologys include: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Justice (DOJ — Bureau of Prisons), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0180 positions?
Federal civilian pay for GS positions = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). The GS table has 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15) and 10 steps per grade. Locality adjustments range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to over 44% in San Jose–San Francisco. Note: Some Psychology positions (especially at VA) use Title 38 or special pay plans that allow above-GS-cap compensation. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant result.
Do GS-0180 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0180 positions qualify for the full federal benefits package: FERS pension (1–1.1% × High-3 Salary × Years of Service), TSP with up to 5% agency match, FEHB health insurance (government pays ~70% of premium), FEGLI life insurance, and FEDVIP dental/vision. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.

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Data Accuracy Notice (YMYL): Salary figures are from the OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026). The annualized_adjusted_basic_pay field captures base pay + locality pay under all pay plans (GS, Title 38, special rates). 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). This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.