GS-0408 Ecology — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Ecologist — GS-0408. The verified average salary for GS-0408 Ecologys is $121,175/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 1,001 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 1,001 • Redaction rate: 7.8%
GS-0408 Ecology — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0408 Ecology series showed 1,001 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $121,175/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-0408 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $121,175 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 1,001 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 1,001 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 7.8% | 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-7 to GS-14 | 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-0408 Ecologys
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- →U.S. Geological Survey (USGS / Interior)
- →U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS / Interior)
- →U.S. Forest Service (USDA)
Key Duties — GS-0408 Ecology
Representative duties for the 0408 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Ecosystem assessment and ecological risk analysis
- →Endangered Species Act habitat assessment and biological opinion development
- →Wetland delineation and water quality monitoring
- →Climate change impact research on ecosystems
- →NEPA environmental impact assessment for federal land projects
About the GS-0408 Ecology Series
Federal Ecologists study the relationships between organisms and their environments, supporting regulatory decisions under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act. EPA employs ecologists for ecological risk assessment of polluted sites and for rule-making on aquatic ecosystem protection. FWS employs ecologists for Endangered Species consultations. Most positions require a B.S. in ecology, biology, or environmental science; senior positions typically require a Master's or Ph.D. The $121,175 average reflects the mid-career concentration at GS-11 to GS-13 in regulatory and research-oriented roles.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0408 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0408 Ecology — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0408 Ecology?
The verified average salary for the GS-0408 Ecology series is $121,175 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (1,001 non-redacted records; 7.8% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0408 series?
The GS-0408 Ecology series typically spans GS-7 to GS-14. 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-0408 Ecologys?
The largest federal employers of GS-0408 Ecologys include: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS / Interior), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS / Interior), U.S. Forest Service (USDA). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0408 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-0408 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0408 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.