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 Sanchez

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$96,684

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $96,684
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,684
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Fort Collins
Work county: Larimer
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,684
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080860069
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Leslie Sanchez is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Fort Collins, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $96,684. They are classified at grade 12.

Levi Altringer

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$96,684

Sub-department: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Base pay: $96,684
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,684
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Fort Collins
Work county: Larimer
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,684
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080860069
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Levi Altringer is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Fort Collins, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $96,684. They are classified at grade 12.

Inoussa Boubacar

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$95,657

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $95,657
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,657
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Madison
Work county: Dane
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $95,657
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,884
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 552780025
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Inoussa Boubacar holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2024, their total compensation was $95,657. Their pay grade is 12.

Natasha Bertrand

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$94,960

Sub-department: Fpac Business Center
Base pay: $94,960
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,960
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Decatur
Work county: De Kalb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,960
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 131610089
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Natasha Bertrand is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Decatur, Georgia. 2024 total compensation came to $94,960. They are classified at grade 12.

Samuel Porter

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$94,652

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $94,652
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,652
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Saint Paul
Work county: Ramsey
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,652
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 276330123
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Samuel Porter serves as a Economist based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Their 2024 pay totaled $94,652. They are classified at grade 12.

Jeffrey Hyman

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $93,798
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,798
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,798
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeffrey Hyman is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $93,798. They are classified at grade 11.

Sonia Bruck

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$93,768

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $93,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,768
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,768
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sonia Bruck holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Invalid, Invalid. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,768. Their pay grade is 12.

Stephanie Chizmar

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$93,768

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $93,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,768
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,768
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephanie Chizmar holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Invalid, Invalid. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,768. Their pay grade is 12.

Karsyn Lamb

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$92,759

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $92,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,759
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Cheyenne
Work county: Laramie
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560100021
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karsyn Lamb holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 2024, their total compensation was $92,759. Their pay grade is 12.

Wilson Sinclair

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$92,759

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $92,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,759
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Iowa City
Work county: Johnson
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 194050103
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Wilson Sinclair is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Iowa City, Iowa. 2024 total compensation came to $92,759. They are classified at grade 12.

Bartholomew Kenner

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$92,018

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $91,268
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,018
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,268
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Agriculture, Bartholomew Kenner serves as a Economist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their 2024 pay totaled $92,018. They are classified at grade 12.

Austin Sanders

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$91,268

Sub-department: Economic Research Service
Base pay: $91,268
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,268
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,268
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Austin Sanders holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,268. Their pay grade is 12.

Paul Hunt

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$90,751

Sub-department: Agricultural Marketing Service
Base pay: $90,751
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,751
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Richmond
Work county: Richmond
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,751
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512060760
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Hunt is a Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Richmond, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $90,751. They are classified at grade 12.

Julie Ballweg

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,860

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $89,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,860
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Madison
Work county: Dane
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 552780025
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Julie Ballweg works as a Economist for Department of Agriculture based in Madison, Wisconsin. Julie earned $89,860 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Martin Harm

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,860

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,860
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Bangor
Work county: Penobscot
Work state: Maine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 230250019
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Martin Harm holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Bangor, Maine. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,860. Their pay grade is 12.

Victor Tuschen

Economist/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,860

Sub-department: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Base pay: $89,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,860
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Brookings
Work county: Brookings
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 460360011
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Victor Tuschen holds the role of Economist at Department of Agriculture based in Brookings, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,860. Their pay grade is 12.