GS-0404 Biological Science Technician — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Biological Science Technician — GS-0404. The verified average salary for GS-0404 Biological Science Technicians is $59,005/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 4,192 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 4,192 • Redaction rate: 3.8%
GS-0404 Biological Science Technician — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0404 Biological Science Technician series showed 4,192 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $59,005/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
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 →
GS-0404 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $59,005 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 4,192 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 4,192 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 3.8% | 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-4 to GS-9 | Most common grade range for this series. Actual assignment depends on the position description and agency. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x 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-0404 Biological Science Technicians
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →U.S. Forest Service (USDA)
- →Fish and Wildlife Service (Interior)
- →Bureau of Land Management (Interior)
- →National Park Service (Interior)
- →Agricultural Research Service (USDA)
Key Duties — GS-0404 Biological Science Technician
Representative duties for the 0404 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Wildlife population monitoring and species surveys
- →Plant and vegetation sampling and botanical inventories
- →Laboratory specimen collection, preparation, and analysis
- →Habitat assessment and ecological condition monitoring
- →Data collection support for scientific research programs
About the GS-0404 Biological Science Technician Series
Biological Science Technicians support professional biologists and ecologists across USDA and Interior land-management agencies. Field work is the norm — conducting wildlife surveys, plant inventories, and habitat assessments across national forests, wildlife refuges, and national parks. The $59,005 average reflects the technical-support entry-level GS-4 to GS-9 range; many positions are seasonal (converted to full-time equivalent in OPM records). The 3.8% redaction rate makes this average highly representative of the full federal biological science technician workforce.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0404 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0404 Biological Science Technician — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0404 Biological Science Technician?
The verified average salary for the GS-0404 Biological Science Technician series is $59,005 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (4,192 non-redacted records; 3.8% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0404 series?
The GS-0404 Biological Science Technician series typically spans GS-4 to GS-9. 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-0404 Biological Science Technicians?
The largest federal employers of GS-0404 Biological Science Technicians include: U.S. Forest Service (USDA), Fish and Wildlife Service (Interior), Bureau of Land Management (Interior), National Park Service (Interior), Agricultural Research Service (USDA). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0404 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 46.34% in San Jose–San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant result.
Do GS-0404 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0404 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.
Other Federal Job Series Pay Pages
Salary data and workforce details for every GS occupational series in our database.
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.