Home / Federal careers / GS-0601
General Health Science
Performs professional health science work including research, analysis, and application of health science principles.
What GS-0601 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 |
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-0601, as written.
Education
Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
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.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0601
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.
Military jobs that map to this series
Physical Therapy Specialist
GS-0601 General Health Science fits 68Fs moving toward broader health-program or coordination roles within VA and DoD facilities.
Skills that carry over: Health program support, Patient education, Prevention programming.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Respiratory Specialist
Licensed respiratory therapists (RRT) map directly into the GS-0601 General Health Science series at VA and DHA medical centers. This is the primary federal landing series for a 68V.
Skills that carry over: Ventilator management, Arterial blood gas analysis, Acute patient care, Clinical documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Public Health Specialist
Direct translation to health science roles. Highlight public health, disease surveillance, and health education.
Skills that carry over: Public Health, Disease Surveillance, Health Education, Epidemiology, Program Management.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Conduct health science research
- Analyze health data and trends
- Develop health programs and policies
- Evaluate health interventions
- Prepare scientific reports
- Collaborate with health professionals
Key competencies
Medical Research
Knowledge of scientific methods and principles for conducting medical and healthcare research.
Healthcare Administration
Ability to manage and coordinate healthcare programs and services.
Data Analysis
Skill in analyzing medical data, research findings, and health statistics.
Grant Management
Experience managing grants within science and medical sectors.
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of healthcare regulations, standards, and compliance requirements.
Communication
Ability to communicate complex medical information to diverse audiences.
Problem Solving
Capacity to identify and resolve issues in healthcare delivery and research.
Collaboration
Skill in working with medical professionals, researchers, and administrators.
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-0601
What is a Health Scientist?
A GS-0601 General Health Scientist conducts research and analysis on health-related issues for federal agencies. These professionals work at NIH, CDC, FDA, and VA advancing medical knowledge, disease prevention, and public health policy.
How much does a federal Health Scientist make?
Health Scientists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $162,672 (GS-15 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually.
What are the requirements for GS-0601?
GS-0601 positions require education in health science, biology, or related fields. Higher grades require progressively more specialized research and analytical experience in public health or biomedical sciences.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0601?
Military experience cannot substitute for required health science education. However, veterans with health science degrees who served as medical service officers or in military health research have applicable experience.
What is the career progression for Health Scientist?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13/14/15 intervals. Entry-level scientists support research. Senior scientists lead programs and advise on health policy.
How do I apply for GS-0601 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for Health Scientist or 0601 series. NIH, CDC, FDA, and VA are major employers. Your federal resume should detail research experience and health science expertise.
Ready to apply for GS-0601?
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.