Home / Federal careers / GS-0704
Animal Health Technician
Performs technical animal health work including diagnostic testing, specimen collection, and animal care support.
What GS-0704 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-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-0704, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0704:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Qualifying experience includes work such as:
- Livestock ranch or farm management with direct animal contact
- Feed lot operations
- Livestock Market Inspector role
- Animal Welfare Inspector position
- Veterinary assistant working with livestock
Education and Training Alternatives:
- GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours of courses in zoology, biology, chemistry, or agricultural subjects.
- GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of courses in fields such as those shown above for GS-3.
- 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 of courses such as those shown above for GS-3.
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 |
| 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-0704
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
Animal Care Specialist
Good fit for animal health technician roles. Highlight veterinary care, animal husbandry, and medical procedures.
Skills that carry over: Veterinary Care, Animal Husbandry, Medical Procedures, Kennel Management, Health Monitoring.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
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
- Collect specimens for testing
- Perform diagnostic tests
- Assist with animal examinations
- Administer treatments
- Maintain animal health records
- Support disease investigations
Key competencies
Animal Handling
Skill in safely handling and restraining livestock and animals.
Health Monitoring
Ability to observe and identify signs of animal illness or distress.
Vaccination Administration
Skill in administering vaccines and medications to animals.
Specimen Collection
Ability to collect biological samples for laboratory testing.
Record Keeping
Skill in maintaining animal health records and documentation.
Biosecurity
Knowledge of biosecurity measures and disease prevention protocols.
Equipment Operation
Ability to operate animal health testing and treatment equipment.
Regulatory Compliance
Understanding of animal health regulations and inspection procedures.
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-0704
What is an Animal Health Technician?
GS-0704 Animal Health Technicians perform technical work supporting veterinary programs. They collect specimens, perform diagnostic tests, assist with examinations, administer treatments, maintain health records, and support disease investigations. They work for USDA (disease control), DOD (military working dogs), and other agencies.
How much does a federal Animal Health Technician make?
GS-0704 positions range from GS-4 ($30,795) to GS-9 ($52,205-$67,865). Most positions are GS-5 to GS-7 ($34,454-$55,486). Senior technicians and leads reach GS-8/9. Field positions may include travel pay. Add locality pay and federal benefits.
What are the requirements for GS-0704 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general experience or 2 years of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized animal health experience. Veterinary Technician certification (RVT, CVT) strengthens applications. Knowledge of animal handling, specimen collection, and biosecurity is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0704?
Yes. Military animal care experience directly qualifies—68T Animal Care Specialist, military working dog handlers, and veterinary support roles. Your experience with animal handling, health monitoring, and treatment administration translates directly. Veterans with animal care MOSs are valued at USDA and DOD.
What is the career progression for Animal Health Technicians?
Entry at GS-4/5 with progression to GS-7/8/9. Lead technicians and program support positions offer advancement. Some pursue veterinary degrees to transition to Veterinarian (GS-0701). USDA offers strong career paths in disease control and food safety support.
How do I apply for GS-0704 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Animal Health Technician' or 'Veterinary Technician.' USDA APHIS and FSIS are major employers. DOD has positions supporting military working dog programs. Emphasize your animal handling skills, diagnostic experience, and any certifications. Veterans with animal care backgrounds have directly applicable qualifications.
Ready to apply for GS-0704?
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.