GS-0403 Microbiology — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Microbiologist — GS-0403. The verified average salary for GS-0403 Microbiologys is $140,859/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 1,677 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 1,677 • Redaction rate: 18.0%
GS-0403 Microbiology — Pay at a Glance
The GS-0403 Microbiology series showed 1,677 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $140,859/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
$141K
GS-0403 verified avg salary (2026)
1.7K
Non-redacted OPM records
GS-0403
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). View occupation salary detail on OPM FedScope →
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GS-0403 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $140,859 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 1,677 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 1,677 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 18.0% | 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) | Primary pay plan(s) used for this occupational series in the federal government. |
| Typical grades | GS-9 to GS-15 | Most common grade range for this series. Actual assignment depends on the position description and agency. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 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) | $197,200 | Executive 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-0403 Microbiologys
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- ✓National Institutes of Health (NIH / HHS)
- ✓Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC / HHS)
- ✓Food and Drug Administration (FDA / HHS)
- ✓Department of Defense (biodefense programs)
Key Duties — GS-0403 Microbiology
Representative duties for the 0403 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Basic and applied microbiology research (NIH, CDC intramural)
- →Pathogen characterization and outbreak investigation (CDC)
- →Regulatory review of biologics, vaccines, and antimicrobials (FDA)
- →Biodefense and biosafety research (DoD, USAMRIID)
- →Foodborne pathogen surveillance and environmental microbiology
About the GS-0403 Microbiology Series
Federal microbiologists span basic research (NIH), public health surveillance (CDC), product regulation (FDA), and national security/biodefense (DoD/DHS). The 18.0% redaction rate — the highest publishable in this batch — reflects DoD classified biodefense programs. Still below the 20% YMYL threshold, making this figure representative of the majority of the series. The $140,859 average reflects the research-grade concentration: most positions require a Ph.D. in microbiology or a related discipline, with postdoctoral experience expected for senior roles.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0403 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0403 Microbiology — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0403 Microbiology?↓
The verified average salary for the GS-0403 Microbiology series is $140,859 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (1,677 non-redacted records; 18.0% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0403 series?↓
The GS-0403 Microbiology series typically spans GS-9 to GS-15. 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-0403 Microbiologys?↓
The largest federal employers of GS-0403 Microbiologys include: National Institutes of Health (NIH / HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC / HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA / HHS), Department of Defense (biodefense programs). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0403 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. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant result.
Do GS-0403 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?↓
Yes, most GS-0403 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.