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 Economist 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.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 2

Utpal Vasavada

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Utpal Vasavada works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Utpal earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Guijing Wang

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: San Diego
Work county: San Diego
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063260073
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Guijing Wang holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in San Diego, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Christopher Klocek

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Riverdale
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241330033
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christopher Klocek holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Riverdale, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Keith Menzie

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Office of the Chief Economist
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 36
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Keith Menzie works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Keith earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Shayle Shagam

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Office of the Chief Economist
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shayle Shagam works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Shayle earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Charles Dodson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charles Dodson holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Barbara Fecso

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Barbara Fecso serves as a Economist based in Arlington, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Deirdre Holder

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deirdre Holder holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Dwight Lanclos

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Ashburn
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510108107
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Dwight Lanclos serves as a Economist based in Ashburn, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Mark Peters

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Woodbine
Work county: Howard
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241696027
Length of Service (Years): 36
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Mark Peters serves as a Economist based in Woodbine, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Peter Riley

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 43
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Peter Riley is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Arlington, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Jessica Todd

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Todd is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Bethesda, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Catherine Feather

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Vienna
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512510059
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Catherine Feather works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Vienna, Virginia. Catherine earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

David Mcgranahan

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Takoma Park
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241540031
Length of Service (Years): 45
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Mcgranahan is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Takoma Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Elizabeth Hill

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary of Agriculture
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Hill is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,289. They are classified at grade 15.

David Donaldson

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Donaldson works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. David earned $191,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Joseph Cessna

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Dale City
Work county: Prince William
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510696153
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joseph Cessna is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Dale City, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,289. They are classified at grade 15.

Sun Wang

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sun Wang works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. Sun earned $191,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.