U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Agriculture / Economist

Job-title file

Economist

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

466 employees hold this title in Department of Agriculture. Median total compensation for the role is $132,743, above the department median of $77,955.

Employees: 466
Total payroll: $64.1M
Role median: $132,743
Agency median: $77,955
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$39,576$206,942+

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

How total compensation varies among the 466 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

Economist pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Economists — about 17,790 people — is $124,720. Department of Agriculture pays a median base salary of $132,393 for this role, 6% above that figure — about the 54th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Agriculture sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,360

$89,330

$124,720

$174,720

$238,060

Department of Agriculture median · $132,393

The bar is the range of annual wages for Economists across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Agriculture’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Agriculture is $132,743, 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)

Economist is held in 43 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Agriculture, the median of $132,743 ranks #36 of 43.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$247,426 · 32

Securities and Exchange Commission

$214,634 · 138

Federal Reserve System

$208,995 · 65

National Science Foundation

$204,000 · 5

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$200,226 · 87

Federal Housing Finance Agency

$196,471 · 64

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

$191,900 · 3

Federal Trade Commission

$191,900 · 88

Department of Justice

$191,900 · 55

Federal Communications Commission

$191,350 · 62

Department of Treasury

$183,749 · 363

Small Business Administration

$181,216 · 9

Median total compensation for the Economist 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

Economist beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 5 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $144,042 ranks #1 of 5. See Economist across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

$135,913 · 8

$79,810 · 69

$73,923 · 10

$65,123 · 35

Median total compensation for comparable Economistroles 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.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Fengxia Dong

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$148,139

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $146,639
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,139
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Madison
Work county: Dane
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,639
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 552780025
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Fengxia Dong is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Madison, Wisconsin. 2024 total compensation came to $148,139. They are classified at grade 14.

Katherine Lim

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$147,073

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $146,323
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,073
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Shoreview
Work county: Ramsey
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,323
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 276542123
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Lim holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Shoreview, Minnesota. In 2024, their total compensation was $147,073. Their pay grade is 13.

Agata Kingsbury

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$147,042

Sub-department: Foreign Agricultural Service
Base pay: $144,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,042
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,042
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Agata Kingsbury holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $147,042. Their pay grade is 14.

Delilah Jaworski

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$146,918

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $144,918
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,918
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Lakewood
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,918
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081435059
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Delilah Jaworski serves as a Economist based in Lakewood, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $146,918. They are classified at grade 14.

Kevin Wittenberger

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$146,742

Sub-department: Office of the Chief Economist
Base pay: $144,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,742
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,042
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kevin Wittenberger is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $146,742. They are classified at grade 14.

Katherine Looft

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,955

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $145,955
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,955
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Allyn
Work county: Mason
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,955
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530038045
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Looft is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Allyn, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $145,955. They are classified at grade 14.

Wilma Davis

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,799

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $144,799
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,799
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,799
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Wilma Davis serves as a Economist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,799. They are classified at grade 14.

Mark Lofthus

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,567

Sub-department: Food Safety and Inspection Service
Base pay: $144,567
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,567
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Virginia Beach
Work county: Virginia Beach
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,567
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512540810
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mark Lofthus holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $145,567. Their pay grade is 14.

Weylin Lucius

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,566

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $142,566
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,566
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Holly
Work county: Prowers
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $142,566
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081170099
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Weylin Lucius serves as a Economist based in Holly, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,566. They are classified at grade 14.

Peter Caffarelli

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Vienna
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512510059
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Peter Caffarelli serves as a Economist based in Vienna, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,489. They are classified at grade 13.

Miller Wahi

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: Foreign Agricultural Service
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Miller Wahi serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,489. They are classified at grade 13.

Kevin Smith

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$145,065

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $142,065
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,065
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Marietta
Work county: Cobb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $142,065
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 133440067
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kevin Smith holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Marietta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $145,065. Their pay grade is 13.

Jesse Gastelle

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$144,918

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $144,918
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,918
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,918
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jesse Gastelle works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Denver, Colorado. Jesse earned $144,918 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Elina Page

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$144,042

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $144,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,042
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,042
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elina Page is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $144,042. They are classified at grade 14.

Monica Saavoss

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$144,042

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $144,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,042
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Riverdale
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,042
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241330033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Monica Saavoss is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Riverdale, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $144,042. They are classified at grade 14.

Yacob Zereyesus

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$143,736

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $143,736
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,736
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Manhattan
Work county: Riley
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $143,736
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 203490161
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Yacob Zereyesus serves as a Economist based in Manhattan, Kansas. Their 2024 pay totaled $143,736. They are classified at grade 15.

Charlotte Ham

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$142,889

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $140,389
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,889
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fort Collins
Work county: Larimer
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $140,389
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080860069
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charlotte Ham works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Charlotte earned $142,889 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

James Kirwan

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$141,604

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $141,604
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,604
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fort Worth
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $141,604
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482450439
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

James Kirwan holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $141,604. Their pay grade is 14.

Alexander Stevens

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$141,590

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $141,590
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,590
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Palo Alto
Work county: Santa Clara
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $141,590
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062660085
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alexander Stevens is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Palo Alto, California. 2024 total compensation came to $141,590. They are classified at grade 13.

Linda Kantor

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$141,557

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $141,557
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,557
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Poolesville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $141,557
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241250031
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Linda Kantor is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Poolesville, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $141,557. They are classified at grade 13.

Sarah Atkinson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$141,557

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $141,557
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,557
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Waldorf
Work county: Charles
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $141,557
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241639017
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Atkinson holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Waldorf, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $141,557. Their pay grade is 13.

Carlann Unger

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$140,961

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $140,961
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $140,961
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $140,961
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carlann Unger works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Chicago, Illinois. Carlann earned $140,961 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

James Burnett

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$140,662

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $140,662
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $140,662
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Overland Park
Work county: Johnson
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $140,662
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 204285091
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, James Burnett serves as a Economist based in Overland Park, Kansas. Their 2024 pay totaled $140,662. They are classified at grade 14.

Lakeitha Ruffin

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$140,209

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $140,209
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $140,209
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Portland
Work county: Washington
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $140,209
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650067
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lakeitha Ruffin is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Portland, Oregon. 2024 total compensation came to $140,209. They are classified at grade 14.