Home / Federal careers / GS-1306
Health Physics
Performs professional health physics work including radiation protection, monitoring, and safety program management.
What GS-1306 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 |
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-1306, as written.
Degree: natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus.
or
Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education that provided an understanding of sciences applicable to health physics comparable to that described in paragraph A.
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.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-1306
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
CBRN Defense Specialist
GS-1306 Health Physics is the radiological specialty for the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, rewarding any radiological-survey background.
Skills that carry over: Radiological survey, Radiation monitoring, Protective protocols, Instrument reading.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
CBRN Specialist
Health Physics. Radiological monitoring and nuclear threat assessment experience from 74D training. NRC, DOE, NNSA, and Army radiation safety offices hire into these positions. Coursework in health physics or radiation protection strengthens candidacy.
Skills that carry over: Radiation monitoring, Dosimetry, Contamination surveys, Nuclear safety, Exposure assessment, Radiation protection.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Nondestructive Inspection
Health Physics covers radiation-safety officer and program roles. Documented radiographic-operations and dosimetry experience is a real differentiator here.
Skills that carry over: Radiation-area control, Dosimetry monitoring, Exposure computation, Radiation-protection compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
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
- Develop radiation protection programs
- Monitor radiation exposure levels
- Conduct radiological surveys
- Investigate radiation incidents
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Train personnel on radiation safety
Key competencies
Radiation Safety
Knowledge of radiation protection principles and standards.
Dosimetry
Skill in measuring and calculating radiation doses.
Monitoring
Ability to conduct radiation surveys and contamination monitoring.
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of NRC and other radiation regulations.
Risk Assessment
Ability to evaluate radiation hazards and risks.
Emergency Response
Skill in responding to radiological emergencies.
Instrumentation
Knowledge of radiation detection equipment.
Training
Ability to develop and deliver radiation safety training.
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-1306
What is a Health Physicist?
A GS-1306 Health Physicist protects workers, the public, and environment from ionizing radiation hazards. These specialists develop radiation protection programs, monitor radiation exposure levels, conduct radiological surveys, investigate radiation incidents, ensure compliance with NRC and other regulations, and train personnel on radiation safety at nuclear facilities, medical centers, and research labs.
How much does a federal Health Physicist make?
Federal Health Physicists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-9 through GS-13. A GS-12 Health Physicist earns $75,706-$98,422. DOE, NRC, VA medical centers, and DOD are major employers. Nuclear facility locations may include hazard pay differentials.
What are the requirements for GS-1306 positions?
GS-1306 requires a degree in natural science or engineering with at least 30 semester hours in health physics, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus. Certification by the American Board of Health Physics (CHP) with appropriate experience is an alternative qualification path. Knowledge of NRC regulations and dosimetry is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1306?
The required degree cannot be substituted with military experience alone. However, Navy Nuclear Program veterans, Army radiation safety officers, and those who handled nuclear weapons or radioactive materials have exceptional qualifying backgrounds when combined with relevant degrees. Military dosimetry experience and radiation safety training translate directly to federal positions.
What is the career progression for Health Physicist?
Health Physicists follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-12. Senior health physicists and radiation safety officers reach GS-13/14. Career paths include facility radiation safety manager, NRC inspector, or regional/headquarters policy roles. Professional certification (CHP) significantly enhances advancement opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-1306 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Health Physicist" or "Radiation Safety" under series 1306. DOE, NRC, VA, and DOD are primary employers. Highlight radiation protection training, dosimetry experience, and NRC regulatory knowledge. Veterans from Navy nuclear programs or with radiation safety certifications should emphasize these credentials prominently in applications.
Ready to apply for GS-1306?
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.