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Performs professional medical laboratory work including analysis of body fluids, tissues, and cells.
2025 Base Pay (before locality adjustment)
| 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 |
Note: These are 2025 base pay rates. Most federal employees receive locality pay adjustments of 15-40%+ depending on location.
Official OPM qualification standards for GS-0644
A Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
OR
A full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor’s certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology.
OR
• A Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in A or B above. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.
Evaluation of Education and Experience: The major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying course work in these areas includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immunoserology, immuno-deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cytotechnology, and similar disciplines or areas of laboratory practice.
Related fields include physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, statistics, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related to the position to be filled
For positions GS-7 through GS-15 (or equivalent), experience or graduate education must have been in (1) the general field of medical technology; (2) one of the disciplines or specialized areas of medical technology; or (3) a field directly related and applicable to medical technology or the position to be filled.
Clinical laboratory intern (student medical technologist) experience in an education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) education program may be credited on a month-for-month basis toward meeting the GS-7 specialized experience requirement.
Step-by-step guide to landing a federal medical technologist position
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
Match your years of experience and education to the appropriate GS grade. Generally: GS-5 (entry), GS-7/9 (junior), GS-11/12 (journey), GS-13+ (senior).
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
Create a detailed federal resume (2-5 pages) that addresses every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact info, and specific accomplishments.
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that transition to GS-0644
Laboratory management. Highlight lab operations, quality control, and medical testing.
Medical Technologist series. VA labs, CDC, NIH hire from this AFSC.
Medical technologist pathway.
💡 Tip: Your unique military experience may qualify you even if your MOS isn't listed.
Knowledge of laboratory methods in microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology.
Ability to maintain quality control standards in laboratory testing.
Skill in performing complex laboratory tests and analyses.
Ability to analyze biological specimens and interpret results.
Proficiency in operating sophisticated laboratory equipment.
Skill in evaluating test results and identifying abnormalities.
Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and biohazard procedures.
Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and reports.
💡 Use these phrases to help ATS systems and human recruiters find your qualifications.
GS-0644 Medical Technologists perform professional clinical laboratory work: analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluid samples to diagnose diseases. They operate sophisticated lab equipment, ensure quality control, interpret test results, and troubleshoot analytical problems at VA hospitals, military labs, CDC, and federal medical centers.
GS-0644 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) for entry to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422) for senior specialists and supervisors. Most journeyman positions are GS-9 to GS-11 ($52,205-$82,108). Lab managers and specialists in high-complexity testing reach GS-11/12. Add locality pay.
A bachelor's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or related field with appropriate coursework in chemistry, biology, and microbiology. ASCP certification (or equivalent) as Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) is typically required. State licensure may be required depending on location.
Military medical laboratory training and experience (68K Laboratory Specialist, Navy Lab Tech) qualifies when combined with required education and certification. Your ASCP certification and clinical lab experience transfer directly. Veterans with MLT backgrounds are highly valued at VA laboratories.
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, senior specialists at GS-11/12. Lab supervisors and quality managers reach GS-12. Specialization in blood banking, microbiology, or molecular diagnostics enhances advancement. VA and CDC offer strong laboratory career paths with continuing education support.
Search USAJOBS for 'Medical Technologist' or 'Clinical Laboratory Scientist.' VA is the largest employer. Also check CDC, DoD labs, and IHS. Highlight your ASCP certification, laboratory specialties, and quality assurance experience. Veterans with military lab training have directly applicable qualifications.
Create a tailored federal resume that meets OPM standards.