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

Job-title file

General Physical Science

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

819 employees hold this title in Department of Energy. Median total compensation for the role is $140,142, above the department median of $134,419.

Employees: 819
Total payroll: $101.6M
Role median: $140,142
Agency median: $134,419
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$204,000+

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

How total compensation varies among the 819 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 Energy pays a median base salary of $149,465 for this role, 22% above that figure — about the 67th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Energy sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,000

$86,620

$122,570

$161,890

$195,190

Department of Energy median · $149,465

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 Energy’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 685 of 819 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 Energy is $140,142, 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 Energy, the median of $140,142 ranks #15 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 Commerce

$157,631 · 1,154

Department of Transportation

$154,917 · 26

Nat Archives and Records Administration

$153,345 · 4

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 2

Kristle Krichbaum

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,607

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,607
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,607
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Smithfield
Work county: Fayette
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,607
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 427780051
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kristle Krichbaum works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Kristle earned $117,607 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Meghann Hurt

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,198

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Grand Junction
Work county: Mesa
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081040077
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Meghann Hurt works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Meghann earned $117,198 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Mary Underwood

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,198

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Morgantown
Work county: Monongalia
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 541840061
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mary Underwood is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Morgantown, West Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $117,198. They are classified at grade 13.

Sara Twining

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,198

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Idaho Falls
Work county: Bonneville
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160790019
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sara Twining works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Sara earned $117,198 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Kristen Breidenbach

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,198

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Oak Ridge
Work county: Anderson
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471850001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kristen Breidenbach is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 2024 total compensation came to $117,198. They are classified at grade 13.

Angelita Denny

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,198

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Grand Junction
Work county: Mesa
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081040077
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Angelita Denny serves as a General Physical Science based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,198. They are classified at grade 13.

Nicole Olin

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$117,198

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $117,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Grand Junction
Work county: Mesa
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081040077
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nicole Olin works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Nicole earned $117,198 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Elliott Lipper

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$115,025

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $115,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,025
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,818
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): NN

Elliott Lipper holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $115,025. Their pay grade is 03.

Daniel Cahill

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,970

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $114,970
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,970
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Golden
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,970
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081000059
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Daniel Cahill is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Golden, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $114,970. They are classified at grade 13.

Michelle Franke

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,970

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $114,970
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,970
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Westminster
Work county: Adams
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,970
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 082550001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michelle Franke is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Westminster, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $114,970. They are classified at grade 13.

Amy Lukens

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,970

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $114,970
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,970
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Longmont
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,970
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081530013
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Lukens is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Longmont, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $114,970. They are classified at grade 13.

Sara Woods

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,251

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,251
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Grand Junction
Work county: Mesa
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081040077
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sara Woods is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Grand Junction, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $114,251. They are classified at grade 13.

Joshua Jones

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,184

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $111,234
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,950
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,184
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Portland
Work county: Multnomah
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,234
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650051
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joshua Jones is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Portland, Oregon. 2024 total compensation came to $114,184. They are classified at grade 13.

Steven Selser

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,119

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $111,234
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,885
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,119
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Salem
Work county: Marion
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,234
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411810047
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Steven Selser is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Salem, Oregon. 2024 total compensation came to $114,119. They are classified at grade 13.

Gregory Imler

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,043

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $114,043
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,043
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Pittsburgh
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,043
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426600003
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Gregory Imler serves as a General Physical Science based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $114,043. They are classified at grade 13.

Naomi O'Neil

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$114,043

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $114,043
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,043
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Pittsburgh
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,043
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426600003
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Naomi O'Neil serves as a General Physical Science based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $114,043. They are classified at grade 13.

Whitney Donoghue

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Esmont
Work county: Albemarle
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510875003
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Whitney Donoghue works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Esmont, Virginia. Whitney earned $113,751 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Thomas Doty

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Oak Ridge
Work county: Anderson
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471850001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Doty is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 2024 total compensation came to $113,751. They are classified at grade 13.

Andrew Hathaway

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Idaho Falls
Work county: Bonneville
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160790019
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Hathaway works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Andrew earned $113,751 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Jason Mitchell

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Idaho Falls
Work county: Bonneville
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160790019
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jason Mitchell holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,751. Their pay grade is 13.

Joseph Owle

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Cherokee
Work county: Swain
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370875173
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joseph Owle holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Cherokee, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,751. Their pay grade is 13.

Melissa Parker

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Andrews
Work county: Cherokee
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370080039
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Melissa Parker serves as a General Physical Science based in Andrews, North Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $113,751. They are classified at grade 13.

Brittany Rehe

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Morgantown
Work county: Monongalia
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 541840061
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brittany Rehe works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Morgantown, West Virginia. Brittany earned $113,751 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Mary Young

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Grand Junction
Work county: Mesa
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081040077
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Mary Young serves as a General Physical Science based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $113,751. They are classified at grade 13.

Kate Moran

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,751

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,751
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hanford
Work county: Benton
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530885005
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kate Moran holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Hanford, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,751. Their pay grade is 13.

Margaret Thompson

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$113,298

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $113,298
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,298
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Austin
Work county: Williamson
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,298
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,423
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480330491
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): EN

Margaret Thompson is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Austin, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $113,298. They are classified at grade 03.