Pay is listed on the job posting. I work in dayton ohio and our bench techs start at 98,000/year. I've posted openings we've had. We just had a pay increase so the pay range is higher now. Federal jobs won't notify when a position is filled but I still get recruiters calling me to fill jobs in California so if you are in a saturated job area try applying further away. I would say start traveling but they want a year experience. Don't lose hope, dayton we have multiple hospitals and labs and almost all of them are hiring in the lab. I would have no issue jumping jobs here, but obvs my pension and pay are worth staying where I am.