Home / Federal careers / GS-0470
Soil Science
Positions involving professional work in soil science including surveys, classification, and land use planning.
What GS-0470 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0470, as written.
Degree: soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.
or
• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in soil science or a related discipline that included at least 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areas specified in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0470
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Typical duties
- Conduct soil surveys
- Classify soils
- Analyze soil samples
- Develop soil maps
- Assess land capabilities
- Provide technical advice
- Support conservation planning
- Interpret soil data
- Prepare reports
- Coordinate with agencies
Key competencies
Soil Science
Knowledge of soil properties and classification.
Field Mapping
Skill in conducting soil surveys.
Laboratory Analysis
Proficiency in soil testing methods.
Interpretation
Ability to interpret soil data for applications.
GIS Skills
Proficiency with mapping technologies.
Scientific Writing
Ability to prepare soil survey reports.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0470
What is a federal Soil Scientist?
GS-0470 Soil Scientists conduct professional work in soil survey, classification, and land use planning. They map soils, analyze samples, assess land capabilities, and provide technical advice for agriculture, construction, and conservation. They work primarily for NRCS, Forest Service, and BLM.
How much does a federal Soil Scientist make?
GS-0470 positions follow a two-grade interval: GS-5/7/9/11/12+. Entry at GS-5 ($34,454), journeyman at GS-9/11 ($52,205-$82,108), senior scientists at GS-12/13 ($75,706-$117,034). State Soil Scientists and regional leads reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0470 positions?
A degree in soil science, agronomy, or related field with courses in soil genesis, chemistry, and physics is required. Experience in soil mapping, classification, and laboratory analysis is essential for higher grades. GIS and remote sensing skills are increasingly important.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0470?
Partially. A degree in soil science or related field is necessary, but military experience in construction, engineering surveys, or environmental work provides relevant background. Veterans with agriculture or environmental science degrees who served in related roles are well-positioned.
What is the career progression for Soil Scientists?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, and senior scientists at GS-12. State Soil Scientists reach GS-13/14. NRCS offers the most soil science positions. Specializing in wetland delineation, construction assessment, or GIS mapping enhances advancement opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-0470 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Soil Scientist' or 'Soil Conservationist.' Primary employers are NRCS, Forest Service, and BLM. Positions are nationwide but concentrated in agricultural and public lands states. Emphasize your soil survey experience and technical skills. Veterans preference applies.
Ready to apply for GS-0470?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.