U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Commerce / Economist

Job-title file

Economist

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

556 employees hold this title in Department of Commerce. Median total compensation for the role is $145,723, above the department median of $127,707.

Employees: 556
Total payroll: $81.7M
Role median: $145,723
Agency median: $127,707
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$68,405$206,208+

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

How total compensation varies among the 556 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 Commerce pays a median base salary of $145,489 for this role, 17% above that figure — about the 60th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Commerce sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,360

$89,330

$124,720

$174,720

$238,060

Department of Commerce median · $145,489

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 Commerce’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Commerce is $145,723, 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 Commerce, the median of $145,723 ranks #27 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

Federal Trade Commission

$191,900 · 88

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

$191,900 · 3

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

Michael Travis

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$150,559

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $150,059
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,559
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Saint Petersburg
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $150,059
Basic Pay (before locality): $150,059
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122730103
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Michael Travis serves as a Economist based in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $150,559. They are classified at grade 04.

Ross Stepp

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$149,739

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $149,739
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,739
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,739
Basic Pay (before locality): $149,739
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Ross Stepp is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $149,739. They are classified at grade 04.

Ariel Binder

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ariel Binder works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Ariel earned $149,422 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

John Terpening

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: International Trade Administration
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

John Terpening is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $149,422. They are classified at grade 13.

Jose Asturias

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jose Asturias is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $149,422. They are classified at grade 13.

David Powers

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Powers works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. David earned $149,422 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Erin Ludlow

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$148,847

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $148,847
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,847
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,847
Basic Pay (before locality): $148,847
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Erin Ludlow works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Erin earned $148,847 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Jordan Stanley

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$148,689

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $148,689
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,689
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,689
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jordan Stanley is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $148,689. They are classified at grade 14.

Jason Haurie

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$148,470

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $148,470
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,470
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,470
Basic Pay (before locality): $148,470
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Jason Haurie serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $148,470. They are classified at grade 04.

Michael Asaro

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$147,952

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $147,952
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,952
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,952
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,952
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Michael Asaro holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In 2024, their total compensation was $147,952. Their pay grade is 04.

Leif Anderson

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$147,932

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $147,932
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,932
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,932
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,932
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Leif Anderson works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Seattle, Washington. Leif earned $147,932 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Bryan Vengelen

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$147,503

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $147,503
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,503
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,503
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,503
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Bryan Vengelen is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $147,503. They are classified at grade 04.

Shari Allen

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$147,463

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $147,463
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,463
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,463
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,463
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Shari Allen is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $147,463. They are classified at grade 04.

Akbar Marvasti

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$147,317

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $147,317
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,317
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Miami
Work county: Miami-Dade
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,317
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122010086
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Akbar Marvasti holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Miami, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $147,317. Their pay grade is 04.

Calvin Ackley

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,542

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $146,542
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,542
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $146,542
Basic Pay (before locality): $146,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Calvin Ackley works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Calvin earned $146,542 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Stanislaw Rzeznik

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,436

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $145,266
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,170
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,436
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,266
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,266
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Stanislaw Rzeznik holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $146,436. Their pay grade is 04.

Amy Filipek

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$146,241

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $143,241
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,241
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $143,241
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,241
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Amy Filipek holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $146,241. Their pay grade is 04.

Calderon Santiago

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,957

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $144,957
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,957
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,957
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,957
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Calderon Santiago is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $145,957. They are classified at grade 04.

Xiaohua Tian

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: International Trade Administration
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Xiaohua Tian is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $145,489. They are classified at grade 13.

Donnell O

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Donnell O serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,489. They are classified at grade 13.

Hubert Janicki

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Hubert Janicki works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Hubert earned $145,489 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Elisabeth Perlman

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Elisabeth Perlman serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,489. They are classified at grade 13.

Matthew Chambers

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$145,380

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $145,380
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,380
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,380
Basic Pay (before locality): $145,380
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Matthew Chambers is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $145,380. They are classified at grade 04.