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

Gonca Senel

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$171,653

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $171,653
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,653
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,653
Basic Pay (before locality): $171,653
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Gonca Senel works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Gonca earned $171,653 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Jeffrey Bogen

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$171,493

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $171,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,493
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $171,493
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Jeffrey Bogen works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Jeffrey earned $171,493 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Nicholas Pairolero

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$171,244

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,280
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,244
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Fairfax
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510900600
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nicholas Pairolero holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Fairfax, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $171,244. Their pay grade is 15.

Rebecca Pocase

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$171,082

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $170,082
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,082
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $170,082
Basic Pay (before locality): $170,082
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Rebecca Pocase holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $171,082. Their pay grade is 05.

Alexander Adams

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$170,841

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $168,841
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $170,841
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $168,841
Basic Pay (before locality): $168,841
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Alexander Adams is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $170,841. They are classified at grade 04.

Nathan Hansen

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$170,609

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $169,609
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $170,609
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,609
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,609
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Nathan Hansen holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $170,609. Their pay grade is 04.

Richard Miller

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$170,350

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,721
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $170,350
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Richard Miller serves as a Economist based in Invalid, Invalid. Their 2024 pay totaled $170,350. They are classified at grade 14.

Jason Murray

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$170,164

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $170,164
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $170,164
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $170,164
Basic Pay (before locality): $170,164
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Jason Murray is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Invalid, Invalid. 2024 total compensation came to $170,164. They are classified at grade 04.

Cameron Speir

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$169,868

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $169,868
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,868
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Santa Cruz
Work county: Santa Cruz
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,868
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,868
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063450087
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Cameron Speir is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Santa Cruz, California. 2024 total compensation came to $169,868. They are classified at grade 04.

Elizabeth Driscoll

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$169,625

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $169,625
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,625
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,625
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,625
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Elizabeth Driscoll is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $169,625. They are classified at grade 04.

Gary Cornwall

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$169,342

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $169,342
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,342
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,342
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,342
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Gary Cornwall holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $169,342. Their pay grade is 04.

Juan Agar

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$169,195

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $169,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,195
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Miami
Work county: Miami-Dade
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,195
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,195
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122010086
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Juan Agar holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Miami, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $169,195. Their pay grade is 04.

David Carter

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$169,195

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $169,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,195
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Miami
Work county: Miami-Dade
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,195
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,195
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122010086
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, David Carter serves as a Economist based in Miami, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $169,195. They are classified at grade 04.

Christopher Liese

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$169,195

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $169,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,195
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Miami
Work county: Miami-Dade
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,195
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,195
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122010086
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Christopher Liese works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Miami, Florida. Christopher earned $169,195 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Arnab Acharya

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$168,705

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $168,705
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,705
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $168,705
Basic Pay (before locality): $168,705
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Arnab Acharya holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $168,705. Their pay grade is 04.

Allison Derrick

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$168,443

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $167,443
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $168,443
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,443
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,443
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Allison Derrick is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $168,443. They are classified at grade 04.

Thomas White

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas White holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,276. Their pay grade is 14.

Elizabeth Husain

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,276

Sub-department: International Trade Administration
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,276
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Husain holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,276. Their pay grade is 14.

Geret Depiper

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,228

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,228
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,228
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,228
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,228
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Geret Depiper works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Geret earned $167,228 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Tammy Murphy

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$167,162

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $167,162
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,162
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,162
Basic Pay (before locality): $167,162
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Tammy Murphy holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In 2024, their total compensation was $167,162. Their pay grade is 04.

Brian Roberts

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$166,799

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,170
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,799
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Roberts works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Arlington, Virginia. Brian earned $166,799 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Michael Cortez

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$166,520

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $166,520
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $166,520
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $166,520
Basic Pay (before locality): $166,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Michael Cortez holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $166,520. Their pay grade is 04.

Minling Pan

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$165,619

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $165,619
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $165,619
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Honolulu
Work county: Honolulu
Work state: Hawaii

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $165,619
Basic Pay (before locality): $165,619
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 152400003
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Minling Pan holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2024, their total compensation was $165,619. Their pay grade is 04.