PublicPay

Genetics federal salary series 0440

Full-time federal employees in the Genetics series earned a median of $138,356 in annualized adjusted basic pay in September 2026, 26% above the all-federal median of $109,641. The middle half earned between $113,533 and $179,324.

Median pay
$138,356
full-time, September 2026
Middle 50%
$113,533–$179,324
25th–75th percentile
Employees
388
in this series, all schedules
Change in median
+1%
vs. September 2025
Pay distribution, full-time employees with published pay, September 2026
Genetics
All federal (full-time)

What shapes genetics pay

The most common grade with published pay is GS-15 (90 employees, median $187,742). The largest employer of this series with published pay is the Department of Agriculture (262 employees). Federal pay depends mostly on grade and step, plus a locality adjustment for where the job is located; see the GS pay scale explainer.

Genetics pay by grade

Grades with at least 30 full-time employees with published pay. GS grades are listed first; other pay plans follow.

Genetics pay by grade
Pay plan–grade Employees Median pay Middle 50%
GS-11 44 $89,618 $80,582–$97,324
GS-12 44 $101,443 $98,459–$105,829
GS-13 84 $124,177 $117,081–$133,500
GS-14 62 $150,935 $138,356–$163,344
GS-15 90 $187,742 $177,536–$197,200

middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) 10th–90th percentile median all-federal median ($109,641)

Genetics pay by agency

Genetics pay by agency
Agency Employees Median pay Middle 50%
Department of Agriculture 262 $138,370 $113,533–$177,536
Department of Health and Human Services 60 $172,695 $141,407–$197,200
Department of the Interior 44 $103,177 $84,960–$123,495

middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) 10th–90th percentile median all-federal median ($109,641)

Genetics pay by state

The 1 states with the most employees in this series and published pay.

Genetics pay by state
State Employees Median pay Middle 50%
Maryland 66 $168,025 $133,964–$197,200

middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) 10th–90th percentile median all-federal median ($109,641)

Compare genetics pay across all states and agencies →

Change since September 2025

The median moved +1.0% from $136,984 in September 2025 to $138,356 in September 2026. Headcount went from 450 to 388 (−13.8%). A change in the median reflects both pay adjustments and who joined or left the workforce, so it is not the same as a pay raise.

Related occupations in Biological Sciences Group