U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration / General Physical Science

Job-title file

General Physical Science

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

496 employees hold this title in Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration. Median total compensation for the role is $185,824, above the department median of $152,489.

Employees: 496
Total payroll: $86.6M
Role median: $185,824
Agency median: $152,489
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$211,583+

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

How total compensation varies among the 496 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. Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration pays a median base salary of $185,824 for this role, 52% above that figure — about the 86th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,000

$86,620

$122,570

$161,890

$195,190

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration median · $185,824

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 Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 494 of 496 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 Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration is $185,824, 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 Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration, the median of $185,824 ranks #2 of 24.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Science Foundation

$204,000 · 157

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

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 13

Sarah Bang

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$118,289

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $118,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,289
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Bang works as a General Physical Science for Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Sarah earned $118,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Jordan Bell

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$118,289

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $118,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,289
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jordan Bell holds the role of General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In 2024, their total compensation was $118,289. Their pay grade is 13.

Patrick Duran

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$118,289

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $118,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,289
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration, Patrick Duran serves as a General Physical Science based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Their 2024 pay totaled $118,289. They are classified at grade 13.

Lori Schultz

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$118,289

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $118,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,289
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lori Schultz works as a General Physical Science for Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Lori earned $118,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Rachael Kroodsma

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Goddard Space Flight Center
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Greenbelt
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rachael Kroodsma is a General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Greenbelt, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Africa Flores-Anderson

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$114,704

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $114,704
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,704
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,704
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Africa Flores-Anderson holds the role of General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In 2024, their total compensation was $114,704. Their pay grade is 13.

Elizabeth Wiggins

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$111,512

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $111,512
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,512
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Richmond
Work county: Richmond
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,512
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512060760
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration, Elizabeth Wiggins serves as a General Physical Science based in Richmond, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $111,512. They are classified at grade 13.

Helen Parache

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$111,269

Sub-department: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Base pay: $111,119
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $150
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,269
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Redstone Arsenal
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,119
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012585089
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Helen Parache is a General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. 2024 total compensation came to $111,269. They are classified at grade 13.

Brian Collister

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$108,357

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $108,357
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,357
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hampton
Work county: Hampton
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $108,357
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Collister works as a General Physical Science for Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Hampton, Virginia. Brian earned $108,357 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

John Cooney

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$108,357

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $108,357
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,357
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hampton
Work county: Hampton
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $108,357
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration, John Cooney serves as a General Physical Science based in Hampton, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $108,357. They are classified at grade 13.

Travis Toth

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$108,357

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $108,357
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,357
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hampton
Work county: Hampton
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $108,357
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Travis Toth holds the role of General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Hampton, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $108,357. Their pay grade is 13.

Morgan Gilmour

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$108,245

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $108,245
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,245
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Moffett Field
Work county: Santa Clara
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $108,245
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062205085
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration, Morgan Gilmour serves as a General Physical Science based in Moffett Field, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $108,245. They are classified at grade 12.

Alexander Jarnot

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$104,861

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $104,861
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,861
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hampton
Work county: Hampton
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,861
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alexander Jarnot is a General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Hampton, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $104,861. They are classified at grade 13.

Michael Shook

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$99,939

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $99,939
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,939
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Hampton
Work county: Hampton
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,939
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Shook is a General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Hampton, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $99,939. They are classified at grade 12.

Laura Ratliff

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$75,245

Sub-department: Headquarters, Nasa
Base pay: $75,245
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,245
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $75,245
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laura Ratliff is a General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $75,245. They are classified at grade 09.

Nicola Fox

General Physical Science/Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

Sub-department: Headquarters, Nasa
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $0
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 1301
Pay Plan (OPM): ES

Nicola Fox is a General Physical Science at Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $0. They are classified at grade 00.