Home / Federal careers / GS-0644
Medical Technologist
Performs professional medical laboratory work including analysis of body fluids, tissues, and cells.
What GS-0644 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 |
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-0644, as written.
Education
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.
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-0644
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
Histopathology
Medical technologist pathway.
Skills that carry over: Histology, Tissue Preparation, Microscopy, Quality Control, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical technologist pathway.
Skills that carry over: Lab Analysis, Sample Processing, Quality Control, Equipment Operation, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Laboratory Sciences Officer
Laboratory management. Highlight lab operations, quality control, and medical testing.
Skills that carry over: Lab Operations, Quality Control, Medical Testing, Management, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
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
- Perform laboratory analyses on patient specimens
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
- Ensure quality control procedures
- Interpret test results
- Troubleshoot analytical problems
- Train laboratory personnel
Key competencies
Clinical Laboratory Science
Knowledge of laboratory methods in microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology.
Quality Assurance
Ability to maintain quality control standards in laboratory testing.
Laboratory Procedures
Skill in performing complex laboratory tests and analyses.
Specimen Analysis
Ability to analyze biological specimens and interpret results.
Equipment Operation
Proficiency in operating sophisticated laboratory equipment.
Data Interpretation
Skill in evaluating test results and identifying abnormalities.
Laboratory Safety
Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and biohazard procedures.
Documentation
Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and 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-0644
What is a Medical Technologist?
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.
How much does a federal Medical Technologist make?
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.
What are the requirements for GS-0644 positions?
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.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0644?
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.
What is the career progression for Medical Technologists?
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.
How do I apply for GS-0644 jobs on USAJOBS?
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.
Ready to apply for GS-0644?
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.