Home / Federal careers / GS-0602
Medical Officer
Positions that involve professional medical work requiring a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree and medical licensure.
What GS-0602 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-0602, as written.
Degree: Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or equivalent from a school in the United States or Canada. This degree must have been accredited by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association; Association of American Medical Colleges; Liaison Committee on Medical Education; Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Degree from Foreign Medical School: A Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a foreign medical school must provide education and medical knowledge equivalent to accredited schools in the United States. Evidence of equivalency to accredited schools in the United States is demonstrated by permanent certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, a fifth pathway certificate for Americans who completed premedical education in the United States and graduate education in a foreign country, or successful completion of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.
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-0602
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
Medical Corps Officer
Military medicine. Highlight medical practice, leadership, and healthcare management.
Skills that carry over: Medical Practice, Leadership, Healthcare Management, Patient Care, Research.
Usually opens at: GS-14, GS-15.
Medical Corps Officer
Military medicine. Highlight medical practice, leadership, and healthcare management.
Skills that carry over: Medical Practice, Leadership, Healthcare Management, Patient Care, Research.
Usually opens at: GS-14, GS-15.
Medical Officer
Military medicine. Highlight medical practice, leadership, and operational medicine.
Skills that carry over: Medical Practice, Leadership, Operational Medicine, Patient Care, Training.
Usually opens at: GS-14, GS-15.
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
- Diagnose and treat patients
- Prescribe medications and treatments
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Develop treatment plans
- Consult with specialists
- Document patient care
- Supervise medical staff
- Participate in quality improvement
- Conduct medical research
- Provide medical education
Key competencies
Clinical Medicine
Expert knowledge of medical diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
Medical Decision Making
Ability to evaluate symptoms and determine appropriate treatment plans.
Patient Care
Skill in providing compassionate, comprehensive healthcare to patients.
Medical Procedures
Proficiency in performing medical examinations and procedures.
Pharmacology
Knowledge of medications, dosages, and drug interactions.
Medical Ethics
Understanding of ethical principles in healthcare practice.
Clinical Documentation
Ability to maintain accurate medical records and documentation.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Skill in working with healthcare teams to coordinate patient care.
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-0602
What is a federal Medical Officer?
GS-0602 Medical Officers are licensed physicians (MD or DO) providing clinical care, diagnosis, treatment, and medical leadership at federal facilities. They work at VA hospitals, IHS clinics, military treatment facilities, CDC, FDA, and other agencies requiring physician expertise.
How much does a federal Medical Officer make?
GS-0602 base pay starts around GS-13 ($90,025) and reaches GS-15 ($125,133-$162,672). However, most physician positions use special pay scales—VA physicians earn $100,000-$400,000+ depending on specialty. Recruitment bonuses, loan repayment, and benefits significantly increase total compensation.
What are the requirements for GS-0602 positions?
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited school is mandatory. Current, unrestricted medical license in a U.S. state or territory required. Board certification or eligibility in relevant specialty is typically required. Completed residency training is standard.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0602?
Military physicians have direct pathway. Your medical training, residency, board certification, and clinical experience transfer completely. Many separating military physicians find excellent opportunities at VA hospitals where their veteran understanding enhances patient care. Active credentials are required.
What is the career progression for Medical Officers?
Entry depends on experience and specialty. Career physicians advance through clinical leadership, department chiefs, CMO positions, and executive roles. VA offers Title 38 physician tracks with competitive pay. CDC and FDA offer public health and regulatory medicine career paths.
How do I apply for GS-0602 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Physician' or specific specialties. VA is the largest federal employer of physicians. Also check IHS for underserved area positions with loan repayment. Highlight your clinical experience, board certification, and any leadership roles. Veterans with medical credentials are highly valued.
Ready to apply for GS-0602?
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.