Home / Federal careers / GS-0645
Medical Technician
Positions that involve technical work in medical laboratories performing diagnostic tests and procedures.
What GS-0645 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-0645, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0645:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations including chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking duties, or equivalent work in related fields applying comparable methods and techniques.
Education and Training Pathways:
- GS-3: Either completion of a full-time training course of approximately a year's duration in a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school covering chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology with supervised practice, OR one year of study including at least 6 semester hours in chemistry/biological science.
- GS-4: Three qualifying options: (a) an associate-degree program with second-year certification from an accredited laboratory assistant school; (b) one year of study with 6+ semester hours in chemistry/biological sciences plus the GS-3 training course; or (c) two years of study with at least 12 semester hours in chemistry/biological science directly relevant to the position specialization.
- GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school or training program |
| GS-4 | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
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-0645
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
Eye Specialist
GS-0645 Medical Technician is the adjacent general clinical-technician series. Search it in parallel with 0640 for broader VA and DoD openings.
Skills that carry over: Vitals and patient assessment, Clinical procedure support, Sterile technique, Records management.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
Surgical Technologist
Medical technician for surgical support.
Skills that carry over: Surgical Support, Sterile Technique, Instrumentation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Histopathology Technician
Medical technician with lab focus.
Skills that carry over: Histology, Tissue Preparation, Laboratory Procedures.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
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 tests
- Collect and process specimens
- Operate laboratory equipment
- Record and report test results
- Maintain quality control
- Calibrate instruments
- Prepare reagents and solutions
- Follow safety protocols
- Assist pathologists
- Maintain laboratory records
Key competencies
Laboratory Techniques
Skill in performing laboratory tests in chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and blood banking.
Specimen Handling
Ability to properly collect, process, and store biological specimens.
Equipment Operation
Skill in operating laboratory equipment and instruments.
Quality Control
Knowledge of quality control procedures in laboratory testing.
Record Keeping
Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and documentation.
Safety Procedures
Knowledge of laboratory safety and infection control protocols.
Technical Support
Skill in providing technical support to medical technologists.
Data Entry
Ability to accurately enter and retrieve laboratory data.
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-0645
What is a Medical Technician?
GS-0645 Medical Technicians perform technical laboratory work: collecting and processing specimens, conducting diagnostic tests, operating lab equipment, and maintaining quality control. They support Medical Technologists with testing in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and blood banking at federal medical laboratories.
How much does a federal Medical Technician make?
GS-0645 follows a one-grade interval pattern with positions typically ranging from GS-4 ($30,795) to GS-8 ($47,265-$61,449). Most positions are GS-5 to GS-7 ($34,454-$55,486). Senior technicians and lead positions reach GS-7/8. Add locality pay and federal benefits.
What are the requirements for GS-0645 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general experience or 2 years of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized laboratory experience. MLT certification (ASCP or equivalent) strengthens applications significantly. Knowledge of specimen handling, laboratory safety, and quality control is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0645?
Yes. Military laboratory technician training and experience (68K, Hospital Lab Tech) directly qualifies. Your specimen collection, test procedures, and quality control experience translates directly. Veterans with medical laboratory backgrounds are valued at VA labs—your training is directly applicable.
What is the career progression for Medical Technicians?
Entry at GS-4/5 with progression to GS-7/8. Many technicians pursue bachelor's degrees and certification to advance to Medical Technologist (GS-0644) at higher grades. Lead technician and specialized positions offer advancement within the series. VA often provides education benefits to support career growth.
How do I apply for GS-0645 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Medical Technician' or 'Laboratory Technician.' VA hospitals and clinics are the largest employers. Also check DoD laboratories and IHS facilities. Emphasize your laboratory experience, certifications, and attention to quality control. Veterans with medical lab training have directly applicable skills.
Ready to apply for GS-0645?
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.