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Computer Operator - Federal Salaries of 2021
Pay Rates for "Computer Operator"
How much does a Computer Operator in the federal government get paid? $57,739.63* *Based on the 2021 average.Computer Operator was the 342nd most popular job in the U.S. Government in 2021, with 157 employed. The most common payscale was the general schedule payscale.
In 2021, the Internal Revenue Service hired the most employees titled Computer Operation, with an average salary of $50,324.
Government Computer Operation jobs are classified under the General Schedule (GS) payscale. The minimum paygrade for a Computer Operation job is GS-1, and the highest paygrade that can be attained within this job series is GS-9. Remember that the starting and maximum yearly pay listed above reflect base pay only - your actual salary will be higher based on the Locality Pay Adjustment for the area in which you work.
This occupation includes positions the paramount duties of which involve operating or supervising the operation of the controls of the digital computer system. Also included are positions involving the operation of peripheral equipment when: (a) such equipment is used directly in support of computer operations; and (b) the operation of such equipment is directly related to acquiring the knowledges and skills needed in operating the control console of a computer system. Positions in this occupation require a knowledge of the functions of the various computer features and the skill to read, interpret, and correctly respond to information in the form in which it is transmitted through the computer system.
Agencies that have hired a Computer Operator
| Agency | Employees Hired | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Revenue Service | 71 | $50,323.76 |
| Social Security Administration | 43 | $67,078.19 |
| Agricultural Marketing Service | 11 | $34,624.18 |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | 8 | $84,121.88 |
| Office of Personnel Management | 5 | $71,374.80 |
| Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology | 4 | $70,745.75 |
| Bureau of the Census | 4 | $47,119.50 |
| Offices, Boards and Divisions | 3 | $71,441.67 |
| Fpac Business Center | 2 | $64,284.00 |
| Bureau of the Fiscal Service | 2 | $67,681.50 |
| Indian Health Service | 2 | $53,946.50 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $68,673.00 |
| National Institutes of Health | 1 | $70,775.00 |
Computer Operator Pay Distribution
The average pay for a Computer Operator is $57,739.63. The highest paid Computer Operator made $94,378 in 2021.
Common Computer Operator Payscales
| Payscale | Number of Computer Operation Employees |
|---|---|
| GS - General Schedule | 139 |
| ZT - Scientific And Engineering Technician | 8 |
| IR - Internal Revenue Service Broadband Classification And Pay System Positions Only | 8 |
| GG - Grades Similar To General Schedule | 2 |
| Starting Paygrade: | $20,999.00 / year base pay at paygrade GS-1, Step 1 |
| Maximum Paygrade: | $63,734.00 / year base pay at paygrade GS-9, Step 10 |
| Category: | Clerical and Administrative Support |
| Occupation Family: | 0300 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE, CLERICAL, AND OFFICE SERVICES GROUP |
Other Jobs at the GS-1 Paygrade
GS-1 is the starting paygrade for Computer Operation jobs. Here are some other Federal Government jobs that can be held by employees at the GS-1 paygrade.
| Occupation | Occupation Category | Starting Paygrade | Maximum Paygrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical Assistant | Clerical and Administrative Support | GS-1 | GS-9 |
| Pharmacy Technician | Technical and Medical Support | GS-1 | GS-9 |
| Legal Assistance | Clerical and Administrative Support | GS-1 | GS-9 |
| Survey Technical | Technical and Medical Support | GS-1 | GS-9 |
| Legal Instruments Examining | Clerical and Administrative Support | GS-1 | GS-9 |
Average Computer Operation Pay Trend from 2004 to 2021
In 2004, the average pay for a Computer Operator was $43,781. Since then, the average pay has increased to $57,740 in 2021.
Data Sources
The information provided on these pages is sourced from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 
Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) dataset. Postal Service data is managed exclusively by the USPS . All information is displayed unmodified and as provided by the source agency.
Federal employee salaries are public information under open government laws (5 U.S.C. § 552). FederalPay provides this data in the interest of government transparency — employee data may not be used for commercial soliciting or vending of any kind. Learn more about the FederalPay Employees Dataset here.
The series code of this occupation is 0332.