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

Shirley Liu

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$157,934

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $157,934
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,934
Pay grade: 13
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,934
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shirley Liu is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in New York - New York, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $157,934. They are classified at grade 13.

Juan Fung

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$157,301

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $157,301
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,301
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,301
Basic Pay (before locality): $157,301
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Juan Fung works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Juan earned $157,301 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Michael Hall

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$157,125

Sub-department: National Institute of Standards and Technician
Base pay: $157,125
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,125
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,125
Basic Pay (before locality): $157,125
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Michael Hall serves as a Economist based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $157,125. They are classified at grade 04.

Kathryn Quigley

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$156,956

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $156,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,956
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Charleston-Naval Cx
Work county: Berkeley
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $156,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $156,956
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450409015
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Kathryn Quigley is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Charleston-Naval Cx, South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $156,956. They are classified at grade 04.

Gilda Lee

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$156,431

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,077
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,431
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gilda Lee is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $156,431. They are classified at grade 13.

Stephen Kasperski

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$156,198

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $156,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,198
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Leavenworth
Work county: Chelan
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $156,198
Basic Pay (before locality): $156,198
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531160007
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Stephen Kasperski works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Leavenworth, Washington. Stephen earned $156,198 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Michelle Saksena

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$155,749

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $148,689
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,060
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,749
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,689
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michelle Saksena is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $155,749. They are classified at grade 14.

John Vanderwolf

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: International Trade Administration
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, John Vanderwolf serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $153,354. They are classified at grade 13.

Daniel Chow

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: Minority Business Development Agency
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Daniel Chow holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $153,354. Their pay grade is 13.

Trevor Bakker

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Trevor Bakker works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Trevor earned $153,354 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Eli Kravitz

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Eli Kravitz holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $153,354. Their pay grade is 13.

Eva Lyubich

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Eva Lyubich works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Eva earned $153,354 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Nicole Perales

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Nicole Perales serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $153,354. They are classified at grade 13.

Sean Wang

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Sean Wang serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $153,354. They are classified at grade 13.

Jonathan Eggleston

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,336

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $153,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,336
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,336
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jonathan Eggleston holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $153,336. Their pay grade is 14.

Daniel Powell

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,273

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $152,273
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,273
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,273
Basic Pay (before locality): $152,273
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Daniel Powell is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $153,273. They are classified at grade 04.

Kendra Asher

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$153,227

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $151,227
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,227
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $151,227
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,227
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Kendra Asher serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $153,227. They are classified at grade 04.

Tara Scott

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$152,802

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $152,363
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $439
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,802
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,363
Basic Pay (before locality): $152,363
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Tara Scott works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Tara earned $152,802 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

William Cunningham

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$152,768

Sub-department: Minority Business Development Agency
Base pay: $152,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,768
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,768
Basic Pay (before locality): $152,768
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ED

William Cunningham works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. William earned $152,768 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

John Bockrath

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$152,728

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $152,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,728
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $152,728
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

John Bockrath holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $152,728. Their pay grade is 04.

Ethan Schein

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$152,422

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $151,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,422
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $151,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Ethan Schein holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $152,422. Their pay grade is 04.

Justine Mallatt

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$152,166

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $152,166
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,166
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,166
Basic Pay (before locality): $152,166
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Justine Mallatt serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $152,166. They are classified at grade 04.

Lisa Pfeiffer

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$152,061

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $152,061
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,061
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,061
Basic Pay (before locality): $152,061
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Lisa Pfeiffer works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Seattle, Washington. Lisa earned $152,061 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Sari Kerr

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$151,870

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $151,870
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,870
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Boston
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $151,870
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sari Kerr is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Boston, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $151,870. They are classified at grade 13.

Aaron Mamula

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$151,852

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $151,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,852
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Santa Cruz
Work county: Santa Cruz
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $151,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,852
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063450087
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Aaron Mamula works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Santa Cruz, California. Aaron earned $151,852 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Jessica Mccloskey

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$151,311

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $151,165
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $146
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,311
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $151,165
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,165
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Jessica Mccloskey holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $151,311. Their pay grade is 04.