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

Job-title file

Social Work

Assess client needs, develop service plans, and connect people with support resources.

22 employees hold this title in Department of Agriculture. Median total compensation for the role is $82,240, above the department median of $82,148.

Employees: 22
Total payroll: $1.8M
Role median: $82,240
Agency median: $82,148
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$59,966$95,215+

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

How total compensation varies among the 22 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

Social Work pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Social Workers, All Other — about 62,930 people — is $71,900. Department of Agriculture pays a median base salary of $82,148 for this role, 14% above that figure — about the 60th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Agriculture sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$43,620

$51,900

$71,900

$97,040

$115,610

Department of Agriculture median · $82,148

The bar is the range of annual wages for Social Workers, All Other 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 $82,240, 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)

Social Work is held in 11 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Agriculture, the median of $82,240 ranks #11 of 11.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Homeland Security

$163,306 · 3

Department of State

$149,813 · 16

United States Agency for International Development

$144,042 · 3

Department of Justice

$138,746 · 10

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agy

$138,024 · 1

Peace Corps

$119,675 · 1

Department of Veterans Affairs

$109,031 · 25,349

Department of Health and Human Services

$106,820 · 155

Department of Interior

$102,443 · 65

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$85,883 · 8

Median total compensation for the Social Work role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Agriculture

Accounting 791
Administrative Officer 342
Agricultural Commodity Aid 1,325
Agricultural Commodity Grading 1,947
Agricultural Engineering 353
Agricultural Marketing 562
Agricultural Program Specialist 432
Animal Health Technician 431
Archeology 712
Biological Science Student Trainee 412
Biological Science Technician 5,482
Budget Analysis 811
Chemistry 346
Civil Engineering 1,383
Consumer Safety 385
Consumer Safety Inspection 6,146
Contracting 879
Ecology 436
Economist 488
Engineering Equipment Operating 632
Engineering Technical 914
Entomology 428
Financial Administration and Program 778
Fish Biology 305
Food Inspection 1,071
Forestry 1,607
Forestry Technician 18,655
General Arts and Information 394
General Business and Industry 2,789
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 7,103
General Physical Science 289
Genetics 348
Grants Management 672
Human Resources Assistance 433
Human Resources Management 1,594
Hydrology 383
Information Technology Management 3,086
Laboring 489
Loan Specialist 3,620
Maintenance Mechanic 389
Management and Program Analysis 3,137
Management and Program Clerical and Assistance 527
Microbiology 491
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 7,794
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 1,981
Plant Protection Technician 1,109
Program Management 1,378
Public Affairs 802
Rangeland Management 620
Realty 641
Social Science 476
Soil Conservation 5,359
Soil Conservation Technician 888
Soil Science 828
Statistics 578
Support Services Administration 444
Transportation Specialist 299
Veterinary Medical Science 1,661
Wildland Fire Management 6,410
Wildlife Biology 1,317

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Joseph Woodburn

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$96,994

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $93,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,994
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Harpers Ferry
Work state: West Virginia
Middle name: Lee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,994
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 541140037
Duty Station State: WV
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Joseph Woodburn serves as a Social Work based in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Their 2026 pay totaled $96,994. They are classified at grade 11.

Pelba Smith

Social Work/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: Evans
Work state: Georgia
Middle name: Jean

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,759
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Duty Station Code: 132045073
Duty Station State: GA
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Pelba Smith is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Evans, Georgia. 2024 total compensation came to $92,759. They are classified at grade 12.

Elizabeth Staudt

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$92,196

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $91,196
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,196
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Estacada
Work state: Oregon
Middle name: Mary

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,196
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,303
Duty Station Code: 410650005
Duty Station State: OR
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Elizabeth Staudt serves as a Social Work based in Estacada, Oregon. Their 2026 pay totaled $92,196. They are classified at grade 11.

Gayleen Hamblin

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$90,618

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $89,618
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,618
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Ogden
Work state: Utah
Middle name: Lee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,618
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,557
Duty Station Code: 491350057
Duty Station State: UT
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Gayleen Hamblin holds the role of Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Ogden, Utah. In 2026, their total compensation was $90,618. Their pay grade is 11.

Angela Ledford

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$90,368

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $89,618
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,368
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Frenchburg
Work state: Kentucky
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,618
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,557
Duty Station Code: 211250165
Duty Station State: KY
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Angela Ledford works as a Social Work for Department of Agriculture based in Frenchburg, Kentucky. Angela earned $90,368 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Christine Kiss

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$89,082

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $87,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,082
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Curlew
Work state: Washington
Middle name: Williams

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $87,582
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,430
Duty Station Code: 530485019
Duty Station State: WA
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Christine Kiss is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Curlew, Washington. 2026 total compensation came to $89,082. They are classified at grade 11.

Dana Tucker

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$86,148

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $82,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,148
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Cherokee
Work state: North Carolina
Middle name: Lee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,148
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 370875173
Duty Station State: NC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Dana Tucker works as a Social Work for Department of Agriculture based in Cherokee, North Carolina. Dana earned $86,148 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Paige Marvin

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$85,398

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $82,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,398
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Collbran
Work state: Colorado
Middle name: Michal

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,148
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 080420077
Duty Station State: CO
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Paige Marvin works as a Social Work for Department of Agriculture based in Collbran, Colorado. Paige earned $85,398 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Laura Scrofanijones

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$84,148

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $82,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,148
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Pisgah Forest
Work state: North Carolina
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,148
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 373655175
Duty Station State: NC
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Laura Scrofanijones is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. 2026 total compensation came to $84,148. They are classified at grade 11.

Neal Cotner

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$82,898

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $82,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,898
Pay grade: 11
Work city: White Swan
Work state: Washington
Middle name: Francis

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,148
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 532507077
Duty Station State: WA
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Neal Cotner serves as a Social Work based in White Swan, Washington. Their 2026 pay totaled $82,898. They are classified at grade 11.

Scott Foster

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2025 total comp

$82,331

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $81,331
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,331
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Puxico
Work state: Missouri
Middle name: Leron

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,331
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $69,478
Duty Station Code: 296550207
Duty Station State: MO
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Scott Foster is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Puxico, Missouri. 2025 total compensation came to $82,331. They are classified at grade 11.

Emily Crum

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$82,148

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $82,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,148
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Laona
Work state: Wisconsin
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,148
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 552580041
Duty Station State: WI
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Emily Crum serves as a Social Work based in Laona, Wisconsin. Their 2026 pay totaled $82,148. They are classified at grade 11.

Michelle Heald

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$82,148

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $82,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,148
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Darby
Work state: Montana
Middle name: Faith

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,148
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 300310081
Duty Station State: MT
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Michelle Heald is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Darby, Montana. 2026 total compensation came to $82,148. They are classified at grade 11.

Katheryne Espinoza

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2025 total comp

$81,331

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $81,331
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,331
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Moses Lake
Work state: Washington
Middle name: Pavline

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,331
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $69,478
Duty Station Code: 531390025
Duty Station State: WA
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Katheryne Espinoza serves as a Social Work based in Moses Lake, Washington. Their 2025 pay totaled $81,331. They are classified at grade 11.

Laura Scrofani-Jones

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2025 total comp

$81,331

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $81,331
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,331
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Pisgah Forest
Work state: North Carolina
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,331
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $69,478
Duty Station Code: 373655175
Duty Station State: NC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Laura Scrofani-Jones serves as a Social Work based in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Their 2025 pay totaled $81,331. They are classified at grade 11.

Deborah Wilkerson

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$80,858

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $79,658
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,858
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Puxico
Work state: Missouri
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,658
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,049
Duty Station Code: 296550207
Duty Station State: MO
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Deborah Wilkerson is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Puxico, Missouri. 2026 total compensation came to $80,858. They are classified at grade 11.

Kendrick Brown

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$77,678

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $74,678
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,678
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Collbran
Work state: Colorado
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,678
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,795
Duty Station Code: 080420077
Duty Station State: CO
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Kendrick Brown holds the role of Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Collbran, Colorado. In 2026, their total compensation was $77,678. Their pay grade is 11.

Erin Sabers

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$76,928

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $74,678
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,928
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Nemo
Work state: South Dakota
Middle name: Christine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,678
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,795
Duty Station Code: 461937081
Duty Station State: SD
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Erin Sabers is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Nemo, South Dakota. 2026 total compensation came to $76,928. They are classified at grade 11.

Andrea Summerlin

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$69,954

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $69,954
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,954
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Yachats
Work state: Oregon
Middle name: Dale

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $69,954
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,759
Duty Station Code: 412269041
Duty Station State: OR
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

At Department of Agriculture, Andrea Summerlin serves as a Social Work based in Yachats, Oregon. Their 2026 pay totaled $69,954. They are classified at grade 09.

Shawna Keyes

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2026 total comp

$69,146

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $67,896
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,146
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Franklin
Work state: North Carolina
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $67,896
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,001
Duty Station Code: 371710113
Duty Station State: NC
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Shawna Keyes works as a Social Work for Department of Agriculture based in Franklin, North Carolina. Shawna earned $69,146 in 2026. Their pay grade is 09.

Patricia Coyle

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$63,964

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $63,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $63,964
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Pisgah Forest
Work state: North Carolina
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $63,964
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $54,754
Duty Station Code: 373655175
Duty Station State: NC
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Patricia Coyle works as a Social Work for Department of Agriculture based in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Patricia earned $63,964 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Mary Cook

Social Work/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$59,966

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $59,966
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,966
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Pisgah Forest
Work state: North Carolina
Middle name: Katherine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $59,966
Agency Code (OPM): AG
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): AG11
Basic Pay (before locality): $51,332
Duty Station Code: 373655175
Duty Station State: NC
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185

Mary Cook is a Social Work at Department of Agriculture based in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $59,966. They are classified at grade 09.