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

Job-title file

General Physical Science

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

23 employees hold this title in Department of State. Median total compensation for the role is $181,216, above the department median of $138,024.

Employees: 23
Total payroll: $4M
Role median: $181,216
Agency median: $138,024
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$112,200$222,060+

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

How total compensation varies among the 23 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 State pays a median base salary of $181,216 for this role, 48% above that figure — about the 84th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of State sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,000

$86,620

$122,570

$161,890

$195,190

Department of State median · $181,216

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

Median total compensation for this role at Department of State is $181,216, 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 25 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of State, the median of $181,216 ranks #4 of 25.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Science Foundation

$212,600 · 187

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

$188,681 · 541

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

$185,234 · 181

Office of Management and Budget

$176,633 · 2

Department of Justice

$168,999 · 15

Presidio Trust

$167,968 · 1

International Joint Commission United States & Canada

$167,902 · 3

Department of Transportation

$167,050 · 30

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$163,514 · 1

Department of Commerce

$163,474 · 1,354

Nat Archives and Records Administration

$159,072 · 4

Department of Housing and Urban Development

$157,896 · 6

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.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of State

Accounting 125
Administration and Office Support Student Trainee 279
Administrative Officer 270
Architecture 62
Audiovisual Production 30
Auditing 83
Budget Analysis 369
Building Management 54
Civil Engineering 19
Contracting 332
Data Science Series 36
Distribution Facilities & Storage Management 20
Economist 18
Electrical Engineering 22
Emergency Management Specialist 48
Engineering Technical 22
Equal Employment Opportunity 23
Financial Administration and Program 262
Fire Protection and Prevention 22
Foreign Affairs 3,382
General Arts and Information 22
General Attorney 367
General Business and Industry 81
General Education and Training 152
General Engineering 111
Government Information Specialist 93
Grants Management 101
History 48
Human Resources Management 590
Industrial Hygiene 26
Information Technology Management 1,149
Instructional Systems 30
Interior Design 33
Language Specialist 46
Legal Occupations Student Trainee 22
Logistics Management 69
Management and Program Analysis 1,889
Mechanical Engineering 28
Medical Officer 18
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 1,417
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 54
Nurse 53
Paralegal Specialist 25
Passport and Visa Examining 2,412
Program Management 166
Public Affairs 297
Public Health Program Specialist 58
Realty 34
Records and Information Management 45
Secretary 94
Security Administration 409
Social Science 21
Social Science Student Trainee 66
Supply Program Management 17
Support Services Administration 165
Telecommunications 38
Traffic Management 65
Training Instruction 284
Writing and Editing 55

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

James Adams

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$224,482

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $224,482
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $224,482
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $224,482
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $224,482
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

At Department of State, James Adams serves as a General Physical Science based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $224,482. They are classified at grade 00.

Kirsten Cutler

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$218,977

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $218,977
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $218,977
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $218,977
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $218,977
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Kirsten Cutler works as a General Physical Science for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Kirsten earned $218,977 in 2026. Their pay grade is 00.

Patricia Gruber

General Physical Science/Department of State

2024 total comp

$212,100

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $212,100
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $212,100
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $212,100
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $212,100
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Patricia Gruber is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $212,100. They are classified at grade 00.

Rongsong Jih

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,875
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Rongsong Jih works as a General Physical Science for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Rongsong earned $197,200 in 2026. Their pay grade is 15.

Maher Tadros

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $164,301
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Maher Tadros holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $197,200. Their pay grade is 15.

Rong-Song Jih

General Physical Science/Department of State

2025 total comp

$195,200

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $154,330
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Rong-Song Jih is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2025 total compensation came to $195,200. They are classified at grade 15.

Joel Zlotnick

General Physical Science/Department of State

2025 total comp

$195,200

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $154,330
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Joel Zlotnick is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2025 total compensation came to $195,200. They are classified at grade 15.

Donald Clagett

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$187,093

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $187,093
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,093
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,093
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,684
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Donald Clagett is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $187,093. They are classified at grade 14.

Daniel Wurmser

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$187,093

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $187,093
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,093
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,093
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,684
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Daniel Wurmser is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $187,093. They are classified at grade 14.

Robert Douglas

General Physical Science/Department of State

2025 total comp

$185,234

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,234
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,234
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Joseph

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,234
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $138,296
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Robert Douglas works as a General Physical Science for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Robert earned $185,234 in 2025. Their pay grade is 14.

Traci Moran

General Physical Science/Department of State

2025 total comp

$185,234

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,234
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,234
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,234
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $138,296
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Traci Moran holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2025, their total compensation was $185,234. Their pay grade is 14.

Terrill Ray

General Physical Science/Department of State

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Terrill Ray is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Tony Hassler

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$172,700

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $172,700
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,700
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Lee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,700
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

At Department of State, Tony Hassler serves as a General Physical Science based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $172,700. They are classified at grade 14.

Andreea Paulopol

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$172,700

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $172,700
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,700
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,700
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Andreea Paulopol holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $172,700. Their pay grade is 14.

Peter Sprunger

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$172,700

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $172,700
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,700
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Hayden

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,700
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Peter Sprunger works as a General Physical Science for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Peter earned $172,700 in 2026. Their pay grade is 14.

Patrick Maloney

General Physical Science/Department of State

2025 total comp

$162,672

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $162,672
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,672
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: George

Source-specific fields

Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,672
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan: General Schedule

Patrick Maloney holds the role of General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2025, their total compensation was $162,672. Their pay grade is 15.

Dan Fenstermacher

General Physical Science/Department of State

2024 total comp

$159,950

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $159,950
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,950
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Leroy

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,950
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Dan Fenstermacher is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $159,950. They are classified at grade 15.

Samantha Marshall

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$158,306

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $158,306
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,306
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,306
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,192
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

At Department of State, Samantha Marshall serves as a General Physical Science based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $158,306. They are classified at grade 14.

Kathryn Easop

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$133,964

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $133,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,964
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Nicole

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,964
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,018
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Kathryn Easop is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $133,964. They are classified at grade 13.

Jamie Gardner

General Physical Science/Department of State

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Ryan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Jamie Gardner is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Leonard Hause

General Physical Science/Department of State

2025 total comp

$128,032

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $128,032
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,032
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Austin
Work state: Texas
Middle name: Calvin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,032
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,382
Duty Station Code: 480330453
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

At Department of State, Leonard Hause serves as a General Physical Science based in Austin, Texas. Their 2025 pay totaled $128,032. They are classified at grade 14.

Kathleen Mccormac-Miller

General Physical Science/Department of State

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Kathleen Mccormac-Miller is a General Physical Science at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Joshua Deal

General Physical Science/Department of State

2026 total comp

$112,200

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $112,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Blackstone
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: Adam

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,200
Agency Code (OPM): ST
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): ST00
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,757
Duty Station Code: 510190135
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301

Joshua Deal works as a General Physical Science for Department of State based in Blackstone, Virginia. Joshua earned $112,200 in 2026. Their pay grade is 12.