GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Wildlife Refuge Manager — GS-0485. The verified average salary for GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Managements is $113,330/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 387 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 387 • Redaction rate: 0.3%
GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management series showed 387 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $113,330/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-0485 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $113,330 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 387 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 387 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 0.3% | 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-0485 Wildlife Refuge Managements
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS / Interior)
Key Duties — GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management
Representative duties for the 0485 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Administration of National Wildlife Refuge System units
- →Wildlife population management and habitat restoration
- →Hunting, fishing, and wildlife-dependent recreation program management
- →Threatened and endangered species recovery plan implementation
- →Law enforcement coordination and visitor services
About the GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management Series
Wildlife Refuge Managers administer the 570+ units of the National Wildlife Refuge System — the world's largest network of lands set aside specifically for wildlife. FWS is the sole employer of this series. The 0.3% redaction rate is near-perfect coverage, providing a highly precise average. The $113,330 mean — near the government-wide average — reflects the GS-11 to GS-12 concentration of experienced refuge managers who combine wildlife biology expertise with administrative, law enforcement, and public engagement responsibilities. Many refuge managers supervise permanent and seasonal staff across multi-thousand-acre complexes.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0485 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management?
The verified average salary for the GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management series is $113,330 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (387 non-redacted records; 0.3% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0485 series?
The GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Management 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-0485 Wildlife Refuge Managements?
The largest federal employers of GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Managements include: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS / Interior). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0485 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-0485 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0485 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.