GS-5003 Gardening — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Gardener — WG-5003. The verified average salary for GS-5003 Gardenings is $67,860/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 372 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 372 • Redaction rate: 18.1%
GS-5003 Gardening — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-5003 Gardening series showed 372 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $67,860/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-5003 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $67,860 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 372 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 372 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 18.1% | 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-5 to WG-10 | 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-5003 Gardenings
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- →National Park Service (NPS / Interior)
- →Army Installation Management Command (DoD)
- →Forest Service (USDA)
Key Duties — GS-5003 Gardening
Representative duties for the 5003 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Grounds maintenance and ornamental planting at federal facilities and cemeteries
- →Turf management, mowing, edging, and irrigation system operation
- →Tree and shrub care, pruning, and pest management
- →Greenhouse operation and propagation of plants
- →Snow removal and seasonal grounds upkeep
About the GS-5003 Gardening Series
Federal Gardeners maintain the grounds at VA medical centers, national cemeteries, military installations, and national parks. The 18.1% redaction rate — the highest in this batch — reflects some DoD military installation positions subject to privacy restrictions; the 372 included records still provide a representative average. The $67,860 mean reflects the WG-7 to WG-9 concentration of skilled trade workers performing grounds care at facilities that serve veterans and the public. Veterans' national cemetery grounds crews are among the most visible Gardening positions in the federal government.
Calculate Your Exact GS-5003 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-5003 Gardening — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-5003 Gardening?
The verified average salary for the GS-5003 Gardening series is $67,860 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (372 non-redacted records; 18.1% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 5003 series?
The GS-5003 Gardening series typically spans WG-5 to WG-10. 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-5003 Gardenings?
The largest federal employers of GS-5003 Gardenings include: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Park Service (NPS / Interior), Army Installation Management Command (DoD), Forest Service (USDA). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-5003 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-5003 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-5003 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.