U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Commerce / General Physical Science

Job-title file

General Physical Science

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

1,154 employees hold this title in Department of Commerce. Median total compensation for the role is $157,631, above the department median of $127,707.

Employees: 1,154
Total payroll: $177.3M
Role median: $157,631
Agency median: $127,707
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$221,900+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 1,154 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

General Physical Science pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Physical Scientists, All Other — about 22,300 people — is $122,570. Department of Commerce pays a median base salary of $157,663 for this role, 29% above that figure — about the 72nd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Commerce sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,000

$86,620

$122,570

$161,890

$195,190

Department of Commerce median · $157,663

The bar is the range of annual wages for Physical Scientists, All Other across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Commerce’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 1,153 of 1,154 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Commerce is $157,631, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

General Physical Science is held in 24 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Commerce, the median of $157,631 ranks #10 of 24.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Science Foundation

$204,000 · 157

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

$185,824 · 496

Department of State

$181,216 · 20

Department of Justice

$171,923 · 11

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

$169,743 · 126

Department of Housing and Urban Developm

$162,629 · 5

International Joint Cmsn: U.S. & Canada

$162,166 · 4

U.S. Agency for International Development

$159,473 · 13

Office of Management and Budget

$157,983 · 2

Department of Transportation

$154,917 · 26

Nat Archives and Records Administration

$153,345 · 4

Department of Homeland Security

$153,336 · 81

Median total compensation for the General Physical Science role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 3

Cody Strack

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$135,473

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $135,473
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,473
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,473
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,473
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Cody Strack serves as a General Physical Science based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,473. They are classified at grade 04.

Leland Snyder

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$135,205

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $135,205
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,205
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,205
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,205
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Leland Snyder holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,205. Their pay grade is 04.

Yiliang Bao

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$135,000

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $135,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,000
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,000
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Yiliang Bao works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Yiliang earned $135,000 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Jamie Enderlen

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$134,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jamie Enderlen works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Jamie earned $134,692 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Andrea Bair

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Salt Lake City
Work county: Salt Lake
Work state: Utah

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 491700035
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrea Bair works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Andrea earned $134,435 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Corey King

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bismarck
Work county: Burleigh
Work state: North Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 380370015
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Corey King holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Bismarck, North Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $134,435. Their pay grade is 13.

Jenna Meyers

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Jacksonville
Work county: Duval
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121510031
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jenna Meyers works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Jacksonville, Florida. Jenna earned $134,435 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

David Marshall

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$134,130

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $134,130
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,130
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,130
Basic Pay (before locality): $134,130
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

David Marshall is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $134,130. They are classified at grade 04.

Jessica Blunden

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,999

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,999
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,999
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Asheville
Work county: Buncombe
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,999
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,999
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370170021
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Jessica Blunden serves as a General Physical Science based in Asheville, North Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $133,999. They are classified at grade 04.

Bhaskaran Subramanian

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,742

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,742
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,742
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,742
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,742
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Bhaskaran Subramanian holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $133,742. Their pay grade is 04.

Trevor Meckley

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,713

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,713
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,713
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,713
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,713
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Trevor Meckley is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $133,713. They are classified at grade 04.

Hernandez Negron

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Hernandez Negron works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Hernandez earned $133,692 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Kenneth Carey

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kenneth Carey holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $133,692. Their pay grade is 13.

Li-Chuan Chen

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Li-Chuan Chen works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. Li-Chuan earned $133,692 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Huichun Liu

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Huichun Liu works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. Huichun earned $133,692 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Shun Liu

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shun Liu is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $133,692. They are classified at grade 13.

Ruiyu Sun

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ruiyu Sun is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $133,692. They are classified at grade 13.

Lauren Fry

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,465

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,465
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,465
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Ann Arbor
Work county: Washtenaw
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,465
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 260150161
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Lauren Fry serves as a General Physical Science based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $133,465. They are classified at grade 04.

Matthew Wilson

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,338

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,338
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,338
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Norfolk
Work county: Norfolk
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,338
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,338
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511760710
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Matthew Wilson is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Norfolk, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $133,338. They are classified at grade 04.

Alice Crawford

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,324

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,324
Pay grade: 04
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Alice Crawford is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $133,324. They are classified at grade 04.

Karin Gleason

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$133,176

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $133,176
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,176
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Asheville
Work county: Buncombe
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,176
Basic Pay (before locality): $133,176
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370170021
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Karin Gleason works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Asheville, North Carolina. Karin earned $133,176 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.