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

Leslie Meyer

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,716

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,716
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Leslie Meyer works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Leslie earned $181,716 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Kim Hjort

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,716

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,716
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Mclean
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511520059
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kim Hjort holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Mclean, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $181,716. Their pay grade is 14.

Michael Johnson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Potomac Falls
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511982107
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Johnson is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Potomac Falls, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Delmy Salin

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Delmy Salin serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Stephen Vogel

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Rural Development
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephen Vogel holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $181,216. Their pay grade is 14.

Ernest Carter

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Foreign Agricultural Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Ernest Carter serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Hui Jiang

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Foreign Agricultural Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Hui Jiang works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Hui earned $181,216 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Nathan Childs

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 36
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nathan Childs is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Mildred Haley

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mildred Haley works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Mildred earned $181,216 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Michael Olson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Frederick
Work county: Frederick
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240580021
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Olson is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Frederick, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Maria Bukowski

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Maria Bukowski works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Maria earned $181,216 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Thomas Gajnak

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Fairfax
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510900600
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Thomas Gajnak serves as a Economist based in Fairfax, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $180,359. They are classified at grade 15.

Brian Adam

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$180,049

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $180,049
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,049
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,049
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Adam holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2024, their total compensation was $180,049. Their pay grade is 15.

Thomas Duggan

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$179,620

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $176,620
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,620
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Aurora
Work county: Adams
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,620
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080110001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Duggan holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Aurora, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $179,620. Their pay grade is 14.

Richard Dunn

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$179,462

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $179,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,462
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Pawtucket
Work county: Providence
Work state: Rhode Island

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,462
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 440180007
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Richard Dunn holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In 2024, their total compensation was $179,462. Their pay grade is 14.

Hooshang Fazel

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$177,320

Sub-department: Food Safety and Inspection Service
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,320
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Hooshang Fazel works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Arlington, Virginia. Hooshang earned $177,320 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Andrea Carlson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$177,304

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $177,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,304
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Northfield
Work county: Rice
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,304
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 275270131
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrea Carlson holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Northfield, Minnesota. In 2024, their total compensation was $177,304. Their pay grade is 15.

Brent Hueth

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$177,272

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $177,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,272
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Madison
Work county: Dane
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,272
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 552780025
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brent Hueth works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Madison, Wisconsin. Brent earned $177,272 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Saleem Shaik

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$177,272

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $177,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,272
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Fargo
Work county: Cass
Work state: North Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,272
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 381020017
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Saleem Shaik serves as a Economist based in Fargo, North Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $177,272. They are classified at grade 15.

Daniel Mccollum

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$176,620

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $176,620
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,620
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fort Collins
Work county: Larimer
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,620
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080860069
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Daniel Mccollum serves as a Economist based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $176,620. They are classified at grade 14.

Eric Huszar

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Riverdale
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241330033
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Eric Huszar holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Riverdale, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $176,570. Their pay grade is 14.

Joanna Hitchner

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$176,194

Sub-department: Office of the Chief Economist
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,194
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joanna Hitchner works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Joanna earned $176,194 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

William Hahn

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$176,183

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $175,183
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,183
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $175,183
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

William Hahn is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Kansas City, Missouri. 2024 total compensation came to $176,183. They are classified at grade 15.

Lorie Cashman

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lorie Cashman holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $174,894. Their pay grade is 15.

John Sparger

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

John Sparger works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. John earned $174,894 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.