U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Commodity Futures Trading Commission / Paralegal Specialist

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

12 employees hold this title in Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Median total compensation for the role is $150,304, below the department median of $258,646.

Employees: 12
Total payroll: $1.8M
Role median: $150,304
Agency median: $258,646
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$112,963$186,400+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 12 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Paralegal Specialist pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants — about 392,880 people — is $62,890. Commodity Futures Trading Commission pays a median base salary of $150,304 for this role, 139% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Commodity Futures Trading Commission sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Commodity Futures Trading Commission median · $150,304

The bar is the range of annual wages for Paralegals and Legal Assistants across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Commodity Futures Trading Commission is $150,304, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Paralegal Specialist is held in 57 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the median of $150,304 ranks #4 of 57.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Federal Housing Finance Agency

$178,408 · 1

Securities and Exchange Commission

$159,982 · 87

Federal Reserve System

$154,796 · 37

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$137,544 · 27

Department of Treasury

$133,235 · 6

Federal Communications Commission

$126,314 · 4

Department of Health and Human Services

$125,845 · 70

Social Security Administration

$125,321 · 746

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$123,999 · 2

United States Agency for International Development

$123,028 · 2

Smithsonian Institution

$122,899 · 1

Fed Retirement Thrift Investment Board

$122,899 · 1

Median total compensation for the Paralegal Specialist role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Paralegal Specialist beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 4 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $101,918 ranks #2 of 4. See Paralegal Specialist across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Connecticut

$148,330 · 8

District of Columbia

$98,412 · 99

Florida

$44,437 · 405

Median total compensation for comparable Paralegal Specialist roles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Same department

Other job titles in Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Mildred Ford

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$188,210

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $188,210
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $188,210
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Y

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $188,210
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $140,518
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 40
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Mildred Ford holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $188,210. Their pay grade is 12.

Jonathan Wheeler

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2024 total comp

$179,984

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $179,984
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,984
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,984
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,062
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Jonathan Wheeler works as a Paralegal Specialist for Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jonathan earned $179,984 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

William Proctor

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$157,046

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $157,046
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,046
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,046
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $117,251
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 40
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

William Proctor holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $157,046. Their pay grade is 11.

Michelle Li

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$156,367

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $156,367
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,367
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $156,367
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,744
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Michelle Li serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $156,367. They are classified at grade 11.

Raymond Lavko

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$153,435

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $153,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,435
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work state: Illinois
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,435
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $117,251
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Duty Station State: IL
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Raymond Lavko holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Chicago, Illinois. In 2026, their total compensation was $153,435. Their pay grade is 11.

Venice Bickham

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2025 total comp

$150,426

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $150,426
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,426
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work state: Illinois
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $150,426
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $114,952
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Duty Station State: IL
Length of Service (Years): 40
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Venice Bickham holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Chicago, Illinois. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,426. Their pay grade is 11.

Erica Bodin

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2024 total comp

$150,181

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,181
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $150,181
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,698
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Erica Bodin serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $150,181. They are classified at grade 11.

Brittne Chiles

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$139,494

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $139,494
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,494
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Kansas City
Work state: Missouri
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,494
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $117,251
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Duty Station State: MO
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Brittne Chiles serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their 2026 pay totaled $139,494. They are classified at grade 11.

Shantel Ogbuagu

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$138,150

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $138,150
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,150
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - New York
Work state: New York
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $138,150
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,145
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Duty Station State: NY
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Shantel Ogbuagu serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in New York - New York, New York. Their 2026 pay totaled $138,150. They are classified at grade 11.

Chrystal Gonnella

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$134,768

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $134,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,768
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,768
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,618
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Chrystal Gonnella holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $134,768. Their pay grade is 11.

Lanae Kearse

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2026 total comp

$119,466

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $119,466
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,466
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,466
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,194
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Lanae Kearse works as a Paralegal Specialist for Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Washington, District of Columbia. Lanae earned $119,466 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Nicolya Jones

Paralegal Specialist/Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2024 total comp

$112,963

Sub-department: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Base pay: $112,963
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,963
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,963
Agency Code (OPM): CT
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): CT00
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,769
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Nicolya Jones holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Commodity Futures Trading Commission based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,963. Their pay grade is 11.