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

Lisa Bennett

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$164,246

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $162,246
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $164,246
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Livermore
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,246
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061920001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lisa Bennett is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Livermore, California. 2024 total compensation came to $164,246. They are classified at grade 14.

Seth Wechsler

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$164,214

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $164,214
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Seth Wechsler is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Silver Spring, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $164,214. They are classified at grade 15.

Charles Jackson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$163,964

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $163,964
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charles Jackson works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Invalid, Invalid. Charles earned $163,964 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Rena Yuan

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$163,964

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $163,964
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Vienna
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512510059
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rena Yuan holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Vienna, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $163,964. Their pay grade is 15.

Stephanie Shwiff

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$163,033

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $163,033
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $163,033
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fort Collins
Work county: Larimer
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,033
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080860069
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephanie Shwiff is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Fort Collins, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $163,033. They are classified at grade 14.

Krishna Paudel

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$162,900

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $162,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Baton Rouge
Work county: East Baton Rouge
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 220150033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Krishna Paudel works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Krishna earned $162,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Marc Mcfetridge

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$162,629

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,629
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Marc Mcfetridge serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $162,629. They are classified at grade 14.

Vidalina Abadam

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$162,629

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,629
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Vidalina Abadam works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Vidalina earned $162,629 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Simla Tokgoz

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$162,629

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,629
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Simla Tokgoz works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Simla earned $162,629 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Joseph Hubbs

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$162,086

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $160,586
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,086
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $160,586
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joseph Hubbs holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2024, their total compensation was $162,086. Their pay grade is 15.

Christian Gregory

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$160,586

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $160,586
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $160,586
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $160,586
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christian Gregory holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2024, their total compensation was $160,586. Their pay grade is 15.

Stephanie Despero

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$159,482

Sub-department: Food Safety and Inspection Service
Base pay: $157,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,482
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Lanham
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,982
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240885033
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephanie Despero is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Lanham, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $159,482. They are classified at grade 14.

Douglas Vik

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$159,305

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $159,305
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,305
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Weatherford
Work county: Parker
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,305
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 487280367
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Douglas Vik works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Weatherford, Texas. Douglas earned $159,305 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Mark Metcalfe

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$158,754

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $158,754
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,754
Pay grade: 13
Work city: El Cerrito
Work county: Contra Costa
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,754
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061100013
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Mark Metcalfe serves as a Economist based in El Cerrito, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $158,754. They are classified at grade 13.

Sarah Cline

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$157,982

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $157,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,982
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,982
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Sarah Cline serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $157,982. They are classified at grade 14.

Brandon Restrepo

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$157,982

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $157,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,982
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,982
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brandon Restrepo is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $157,982. They are classified at grade 14.

Meaghan Smith

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$157,982

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $157,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,982
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,982
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Meaghan Smith serves as a Economist based in Invalid, Invalid. Their 2024 pay totaled $157,982. They are classified at grade 14.

Skorbiansk Raszap

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$157,836

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $153,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,836
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,336
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Skorbiansk Raszap works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Skorbiansk earned $157,836 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Carolyn Liebrand

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$157,354

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carolyn Liebrand is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $157,354. They are classified at grade 13.