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

Hunter Jones

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,368

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $146,368
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,368
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,368
Basic Pay (before locality): $146,368
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Hunter Jones works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Hunter earned $146,368 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Matthew Spidell

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,177

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $146,177
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,177
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,177
Basic Pay (before locality): $146,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Matthew Spidell serves as a General Physical Science based in Boulder, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $146,177. They are classified at grade 04.

Jean Brodeur

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,076

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $146,076
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,076
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,076
Basic Pay (before locality): $146,076
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Jean Brodeur works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Jean earned $146,076 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Edward Ryan

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,047

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $146,047
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,047
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fort Worth
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,047
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482450439
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Edward Ryan is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Fort Worth, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $146,047. They are classified at grade 13.

Brianne Connolly

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,955

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,955
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,955
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,955
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brianne Connolly works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Seattle, Washington. Brianne earned $145,955 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Britt-Anne Parker

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,942

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,942
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,942
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,942
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,942
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Britt-Anne Parker serves as a General Physical Science based in Boulder, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,942. They are classified at grade 04.

Andrew Latto

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,878

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,878
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,878
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Greenbelt
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,878
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,878
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Andrew Latto holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Greenbelt, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $145,878. Their pay grade is 04.

Aaron Pratt

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,852

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,852
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,852
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Aaron Pratt is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $145,852. They are classified at grade 04.

Christopher Stachelski

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,785

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,785
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,785
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bohemia
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,785
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360597103
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Christopher Stachelski serves as a General Physical Science based in Bohemia, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,785. They are classified at grade 13.

Tracy Fanara

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,743

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,743
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,743
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,743
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,743
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Tracy Fanara is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $145,743. They are classified at grade 04.

Fabien Paulot

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,671

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,671
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Plainsboro
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,671
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 342632023
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Fabien Paulot works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Plainsboro, New Jersey. Fabien earned $145,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Jason Jordan

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,632

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,632
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,632
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,632
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jason Jordan is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $145,632. They are classified at grade 13.

Gregory Seroka

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,112

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $145,112
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,112
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,112
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,112
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Gregory Seroka holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $145,112. Their pay grade is 04.

Steven Ansari

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$144,996

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $144,996
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,996
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Asheville
Work county: Buncombe
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,996
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,996
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370170021
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Steven Ansari holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $144,996. Their pay grade is 04.

Hilton Chan

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$144,918

Sub-department: Office of the Inspector General
Base pay: $144,918
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,918
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Aurora
Work county: Arapahoe
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,918
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080110005
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Hilton Chan serves as a General Physical Science based in Aurora, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $144,918. They are classified at grade 14.

Sarah O'Connor

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$144,738

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $144,738
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,738
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,738
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,738
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Sarah O'Connor is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $144,738. They are classified at grade 04.

Anders Jensen

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$144,351

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $144,351
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,351
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,351
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,351
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Anders Jensen holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $144,351. Their pay grade is 04.