GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Metal Forming Machine Operator — WG-3869. The verified average salary for GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operatings is $71,924/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 232 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 232 • Redaction rate: 11.5%
GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating series showed 232 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $71,924/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: Federal Wage System (WG). View occupation salary detail on OPM FedScope →
GS-3869 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $71,924 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 232 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 232 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 11.5% | OPM redacts salary records for privacy-sensitive positions (DoD, law enforcement, intelligence). FedTools suppresses series averages when redaction exceeds 20%. |
| Pay plan(s) | Federal Wage System (WG) | Primary pay plan(s) used for this occupational series in the federal government. |
| Typical grades | WG-8 to WG-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-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operatings
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Department of Defense (DoD — Navy, Army, Air Force depots)
- →Government Publishing Office (GPO)
- →Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP / Treasury)
Key Duties — GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating
Representative duties for the 3869 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Set-up and operation of presses, brakes, rolls, and forming machines
- →Fabrication of metal parts and assemblies to engineering drawings
- →Machine calibration, tooling changes, and first-article inspection
- →Quality control inspection of formed metal components
- →Preventive maintenance on forming and stamping equipment
About the GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating Series
Federal Metal Forming Machine Operators produce precision metal parts and assemblies at DoD depots, munitions plants, and printing facilities. The 11.5% redaction reflects DoD security classifications at naval and aerospace depots. The $71,924 average reflects the WG-10 to WG-11 concentration of skilled metalworkers operating presses, brakes, and forming equipment in industrial federal facilities. Journeyman-level certification and apprenticeship training are typical entry paths.
Calculate Your Exact GS-3869 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating?
The verified average salary for the GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating series is $71,924 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (232 non-redacted records; 11.5% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 3869 series?
The GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operating series typically spans WG-8 to WG-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-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operatings?
The largest federal employers of GS-3869 Metal Forming Machine Operatings include: Department of Defense (DoD — Navy, Army, Air Force depots), Government Publishing Office (GPO), Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP / Treasury). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-3869 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-3869 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-3869 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.