GS-0457 Soil Conservation — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Soil Conservationist — GS-0457. The verified average salary for GS-0457 Soil Conservations is $89,053/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 4,107 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 4,107 • Redaction rate: 0.1%
GS-0457 Soil Conservation — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0457 Soil Conservation series showed 4,107 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $89,053/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-0457 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $89,053 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 4,107 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 4,107 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 0.1% | 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-5 to GS-12 | 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-0457 Soil Conservations
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS / USDA)
- →Farm Service Agency (FSA / USDA)
- →Bureau of Land Management (Interior)
Key Duties — GS-0457 Soil Conservation
Representative duties for the 0457 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Agricultural land conservation planning and technical assistance
- →Soil health assessment, sampling, and mapping
- →Erosion and sediment control plan development
- →Conservation practice installation oversight (terraces, grass waterways)
- →USDA conservation program (CRP, EQIP, CSP) technical delivery
About the GS-0457 Soil Conservation Series
Soil Conservationists form the core technical workforce of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA's primary field agency for agricultural conservation. They work directly with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to implement conservation practices that protect soil and water resources. With a 0.1% redaction rate — the lowest possible — this is among the most transparent series in the entire OPM dataset. The $89,053 average reflects the mid-range GS-9 to GS-11 clustering typical of experienced field conservationists in county NRCS offices nationwide.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0457 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0457 Soil Conservation — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0457 Soil Conservation?
The verified average salary for the GS-0457 Soil Conservation series is $89,053 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (4,107 non-redacted records; 0.1% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0457 series?
The GS-0457 Soil Conservation series typically spans GS-5 to GS-12. 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-0457 Soil Conservations?
The largest federal employers of GS-0457 Soil Conservations include: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS / USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA / USDA), Bureau of Land Management (Interior). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0457 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-0457 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0457 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.