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

Ming Hu

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,741

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,741
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,741
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,741
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,741
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Ming Hu is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $167,741. They are classified at grade 04.

Sallie Ahlert

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,690

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,690
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,690
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Norman
Work county: Cleveland
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,690
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403430027
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sallie Ahlert holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Norman, Oklahoma. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,690. Their pay grade is 15.

Mark Willis

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,690

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,690
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,690
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Wilmington
Work county: New Hanover
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,690
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 375060129
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mark Willis works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Mark earned $167,690 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Vincent Desiderio

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,670

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $167,670
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,670
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,670
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,670
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Vincent Desiderio holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,670. Their pay grade is 04.

Jason Kahn

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,608

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $167,608
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,608
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,608
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,608
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Jason Kahn works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. Jason earned $167,608 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Kevin Scharfenberg

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,562

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,562
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,562
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,562
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kevin Scharfenberg works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. Kevin earned $167,562 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Michael Annis

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,433

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,433
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,433
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,433
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,433
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Michael Annis serves as a General Physical Science based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $167,433. They are classified at grade 05.

Kenneth Fenton

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,372

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,372
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,372
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,372
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,372
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Kenneth Fenton holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Boulder, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,372. Their pay grade is 04.

David Rudack

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, David Rudack serves as a General Physical Science based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $167,276. They are classified at grade 14.

Andrew Collard

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Collard works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. Andrew earned $167,276 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Ashby Hawse

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Sterling
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512345107
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ashby Hawse is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Sterling, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $167,276. They are classified at grade 14.

Chester Schmitt

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Chester Schmitt works as a General Physical Science for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Chester earned $167,276 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Bruce Veenhuis

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Bruce Veenhuis serves as a General Physical Science based in College Park, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $167,276. They are classified at grade 14.

Yan Xue

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Yan Xue holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,276. Their pay grade is 14.

Sheekela Baker-Yeboah

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,061

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,061
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,061
Pay grade: 04
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,061
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,061
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Sheekela Baker-Yeboah is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in College Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $167,061. They are classified at grade 04.

Segayle Thompson

General Physical Science/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$166,464

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,464
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $163,964
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Segayle Thompson is a General Physical Science at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $166,464. They are classified at grade 05.