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

Casey Strickland

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,966

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $137,966
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,966
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Lakewood
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,966
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081435059
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Casey Strickland works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Lakewood, Colorado. Casey earned $137,966 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Diana Trettin

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,966

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $137,966
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,966
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Westminster
Work county: Adams
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,966
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 082550001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Diana Trettin is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Westminster, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $137,966. They are classified at grade 13.

William Haver

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,919

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,419
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,919
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Oak Ridge
Work county: Anderson
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,419
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471850001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

William Haver is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 2024 total compensation came to $137,919. They are classified at grade 14.

Melissa Lutz

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,669

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $137,669
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,669
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Weldon Spring
Work county: Saint Charles
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,669
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 298235183
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Melissa Lutz holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Weldon Spring, Missouri. In 2024, their total compensation was $137,669. Their pay grade is 13.

Greg Tippetts

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,635

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,635
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redmond
Work county: Deschutes
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411720017
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Greg Tippetts serves as a General Physical Science based in Redmond, Oregon. Their 2024 pay totaled $137,635. They are classified at grade 13.

Kamala Raghavan

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,624

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $137,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,624
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,624
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kamala Raghavan holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $137,624. Their pay grade is 13.

Carrie Schmaus

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,624

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $137,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,624
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,624
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carrie Schmaus holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $137,624. Their pay grade is 13.

Paul Syers

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$137,624

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $137,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,624
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,624
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Syers is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $137,624. They are classified at grade 13.

Brian Zimmerman

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$136,629

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $135,779
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $850
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,629
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fernald
Work county: Hamilton
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,779
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 392605061
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Brian Zimmerman serves as a General Physical Science based in Fernald, Ohio. Their 2024 pay totaled $136,629. They are classified at grade 14.

Mei Lee

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$136,561

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $136,561
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,561
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Captain Cook
Work county: Hawaii
Work state: Hawaii

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $136,561
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 150300001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Mei Lee serves as a General Physical Science based in Captain Cook, Hawaii. Their 2024 pay totaled $136,561. They are classified at grade 13.

Locke Christman

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$136,434

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,950
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,434
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Portland
Work county: Multnomah
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,484
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650051
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Locke Christman holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Portland, Oregon. In 2024, their total compensation was $136,434. Their pay grade is 13.

Andrew Chang

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$136,434

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,950
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,434
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Vancouver
Work county: Clark
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,484
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 532370011
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Chang is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Vancouver, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $136,434. They are classified at grade 13.

Emily Brooks

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$136,360

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $135,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,360
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Wheat Ridge
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 082555059
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Emily Brooks holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $136,360. Their pay grade is 14.

Ryan Callihan

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$135,902

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $135,902
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,902
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Piketon
Work county: Pike
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,902
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 396530131
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Ryan Callihan serves as a General Physical Science based in Piketon, Ohio. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,902. They are classified at grade 14.

Tara Gedvilas

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$135,860

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $135,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,860
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Arvada
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080080059
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Tara Gedvilas serves as a General Physical Science based in Arvada, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,860. They are classified at grade 14.

Richard Oleksak

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$135,827

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $135,827
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,827
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Albany
Work county: Linn
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,827
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 410020043
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Richard Oleksak is a General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Albany, Oregon. 2024 total compensation came to $135,827. They are classified at grade 14.

Cindy Burns

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fruita
Work county: Mesa
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080940077
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Cindy Burns serves as a General Physical Science based in Fruita, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $134,435. They are classified at grade 13.

Armanda Hemmingway

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Aiken
Work county: Aiken
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450020003
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Armanda Hemmingway serves as a General Physical Science based in Aiken, South Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $134,435. They are classified at grade 13.

Steven Kirschenmann

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hanford
Work county: Benton
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530885005
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Steven Kirschenmann holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Hanford, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $134,435. Their pay grade is 13.

Elizabeth Phillips

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$134,435

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,435
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Oak Ridge
Work county: Anderson
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,435
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471850001
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Elizabeth Phillips serves as a General Physical Science based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Their 2024 pay totaled $134,435. They are classified at grade 13.

Benjamin Vannah

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$134,419

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $134,419
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,419
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Richland
Work county: Benton
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,419
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531850005
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Benjamin Vannah serves as a General Physical Science based in Richland, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $134,419. They are classified at grade 14.

Veronica Bickmeyer

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$134,135

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,635
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,135
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Upton
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,635
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 366215103
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Veronica Bickmeyer works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Upton, New York. Veronica earned $134,135 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Shawn Barndt

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$133,938

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $130,988
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,950
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,938
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Pasco
Work county: Franklin
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $130,988
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531660021
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shawn Barndt works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Pasco, Washington. Shawn earned $133,938 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Sara Hogan

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Sara Hogan serves as a General Physical Science based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $133,692. They are classified at grade 13.

Sonia Hammache

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sonia Hammache works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. Sonia earned $133,692 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Laura Hill

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laura Hill works as a General Physical Science for Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. Laura earned $133,692 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Charles Scaife

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charles Scaife holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $133,692. Their pay grade is 13.

Nebiat Solomon

General Physical Science/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$133,692

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nebiat Solomon holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $133,692. Their pay grade is 13.