GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Public Health Program Specialist — GS-0685. The verified average salary for GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialists is $138,032/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 3,218 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 3,218 • Redaction rate: 5.7%
GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist series showed 3,218 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $138,032/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-0685 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $138,032 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 3,218 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 3,218 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 5.7% | 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-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-0685 Public Health Program Specialists
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC / HHS)
- →Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA / HHS)
- →Indian Health Service (IHS / HHS)
- →Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Key Duties — GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist
Representative duties for the 0685 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Development and management of federal public health programs
- →Epidemiological surveillance and outbreak response coordination
- →Grant administration and monitoring of public health grants
- →Policy analysis and regulatory development for public health initiatives
- →Interagency coordination and stakeholder engagement
About the GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist Series
Public Health Program Specialists manage and oversee federal health programs rather than providing direct clinical care. CDC, HHS, and HRSA employ the largest concentrations for infectious disease surveillance, maternal and child health programs, and community health center oversight. The $138,032 average — well above the government-wide mean — reflects the GS-12 to GS-14 concentration among program managers and senior analysts, many with advanced public health degrees (MPH, DrPH). The low 5.7% redaction rate ensures a highly representative figure.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0685 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist?
The verified average salary for the GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist series is $138,032 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (3,218 non-redacted records; 5.7% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0685 series?
The GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialist series typically spans GS-9 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-0685 Public Health Program Specialists?
The largest federal employers of GS-0685 Public Health Program Specialists include: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC / HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA / HHS), Indian Health Service (IHS / HHS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0685 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-0685 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0685 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.