GS-0470 Soil Science — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Soil Scientist — GS-0470. The verified average salary for GS-0470 Soil Sciences is $107,332/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 580 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 580 • Redaction rate: 2.0%
GS-0470 Soil Science — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0470 Soil Science series showed 580 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $107,332/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-0470 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $107,332 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 580 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 580 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 2.0% | 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-13 | 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-0470 Soil Sciences
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)
- →Agricultural Research Service (ARS / USDA)
- →Bureau of Land Management (BLM / Interior)
Key Duties — GS-0470 Soil Science
Representative duties for the 0470 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Soil survey and mapping for agricultural land use planning
- →Soil characterization and classification (Soil Taxonomy)
- →Interpretation of soil properties for construction, agriculture, and ecology
- →Soil health assessment and conservation practice design
- →Research on soil genesis, chemistry, and microbiology
About the GS-0470 Soil Science Series
Federal Soil Scientists conduct the National Cooperative Soil Survey — a multi-decade effort to characterize and map every soil type in the U.S. NRCS is the dominant employer, with survey offices in every state. The 2.0% redaction rate provides a highly representative average. The $107,332 mean — near the government-wide average — reflects the GS-11 to GS-12 clustering of credentialed professionals; all NRCS soil scientists require a Certified Soil Scientist (CSS) credential or equivalent academic training. Professional scientific expertise in pedology (soil formation and classification) is the core requirement.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0470 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0470 Soil Science — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0470 Soil Science?
The verified average salary for the GS-0470 Soil Science series is $107,332 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (580 non-redacted records; 2.0% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0470 series?
The GS-0470 Soil Science series typically spans GS-9 to GS-13. 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-0470 Soil Sciences?
The largest federal employers of GS-0470 Soil Sciences include: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS / USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS / USDA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM / Interior). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0470 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-0470 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0470 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.