Industrial Hygiene
Positions involving work in occupational health and safety including hazard identification, exposure assessment, and control measures.
💰GS-0690 Salary Information
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 |
| 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 |
Note: These are 2025 base pay rates. Most federal employees receive locality pay adjustments of 15-40%+ depending on location.
Qualification Requirements
Official OPM qualification standards for GS-0690
The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
• A bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science; or
• A bachelor’s degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene; or
• Certification from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (formerly American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)).
Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable.__
🎖️Tips for Veterans
- ✓Translate military experience: Map duties to civilian terminology.
- ✓Highlight training: Include courses and certifications.
- ✓Veterans preference: Claim your 5 or 10-point preference.
- ✓Experience substitution: Military experience may substitute for education.
📝How to Qualify for GS-0690
Step-by-step guide to landing a federal industrial hygiene position
- 1
Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
- 2
Determine Your 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).
- 3
Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
- 4
Build Your Federal Resume
Create a detailed federal resume (2-5 pages) that addresses every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact info, and specific accomplishments.
- 5
Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
🎖️Military to Federal Crosswalk
Military jobs that transition to GS-0690
Preventive Medicine Specialist
68S exposure assessment and occupational health survey work maps directly to the Industrial Hygiene series. This is the closest federal home for the specialty.
CBRN Specialist
Industrial Hygiene. 74Ds who operated detection equipment (JCAD, ICAM, M22 ACADA) understand exposure monitoring methodology. Air sampling, chemical identification, and threshold limit analysis are core IH competencies. May require coursework in IH for higher grades.
Public Health
Industrial Hygiene series at OSHA, DoD installations, and federal medical centers. Strong fit for 4E0X1s with significant occupational health surveillance experience.
💡 Tip:Your unique military experience may qualify you even if your MOS isn't listed.
📋Typical Duties
- •Conduct workplace assessments
- •Measure occupational exposures
- •Evaluate health hazards
- •Recommend control measures
- •Review safety programs
- •Conduct investigations
- •Prepare technical reports
- •Train employees
- •Ensure OSHA compliance
- •Develop safety policies
🎯Key Competencies
Ability to identify chemical, physical, and biological workplace hazards.
Skill in measuring and evaluating occupational exposures.
Ability to assess health risks and predict impacts on workers.
Skill in recommending engineering and administrative controls.
Knowledge of industrial hygiene sampling and analytical methods.
Understanding of OSHA standards and occupational health regulations.
Ability to develop occupational health and safety programs.
Skill in communicating technical findings and recommendations.
🔑Resume Keywords
💡 Use these phrases to help ATS systems and human recruiters find your qualifications.
Quick Links
Grade Levels
❓Frequently Asked Questions about GS-0690
What is an Industrial Hygienist?
GS-0690 Industrial Hygienists protect worker health by identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards. They conduct exposure assessments, measure chemical/physical/biological hazards, recommend controls, develop safety programs, ensure OSHA compliance, and investigate occupational health issues at federal facilities.
How much does a federal Industrial Hygienist make?
GS-0690 follows a two-grade interval: GS-5/7/9/11/12/13. Entry at GS-5 ($34,454), journeyman at GS-11 ($63,163-$82,108), senior hygienists at GS-12/13 ($75,706-$117,034). OSHA area directors and regional specialists reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0690 positions?
A bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health, chemistry, biology, or related science with appropriate coursework. CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) certification strengthens applications significantly. Experience with exposure assessment, sampling methods, and OSHA regulations is essential for higher grades.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0690?
Partially—a science degree is typically required, but military occupational health experience is highly valued. If you worked in safety, industrial hygiene, environmental health, or NBC defense, that experience complements required education. Veterans with science degrees and safety backgrounds are well-positioned.
What is the career progression for Industrial Hygienists?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, senior hygienists at GS-12. Program managers and regional specialists reach GS-12/13. CIH certification accelerates advancement. OSHA, DOD, DOE, and VA offer strong industrial hygiene career paths with continuing education support.
How do I apply for GS-0690 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Industrial Hygienist' or 'Occupational Health Specialist.' Major employers include OSHA, DOD, DOE, and VA. Emphasize your exposure assessment experience, sampling skills, and any CIH certification. Veterans with NBC, safety, or environmental health backgrounds have relevant experience.
Ready to Apply for GS-0690?
Create a tailored federal resume that meets OPM standards.