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

Margaret Jones

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,613

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $178,613
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,613
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Brunswick
Work county: Cumberland
Work state: Maine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $178,613
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 231150005
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Margaret Jones works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Brunswick, Maine. Margaret earned $178,613 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Michael Dalton

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$177,885

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $177,885
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,885
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,885
Basic Pay (before locality): $177,885
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Michael Dalton is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Seattle, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $177,885. They are classified at grade 04.

Chang Seung

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$177,885

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $177,885
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,885
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,885
Basic Pay (before locality): $177,885
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Chang Seung works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Seattle, Washington. Chang earned $177,885 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Takashi Yamashita

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$177,624

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $177,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,624
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,624
Basic Pay (before locality): $177,624
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Takashi Yamashita works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Takashi earned $177,624 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Yanovich Wielgus

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$176,673

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $176,673
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,673
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,673
Basic Pay (before locality): $176,673
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Yanovich Wielgus holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $176,673. Their pay grade is 05.

Alice Zawacki

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alice Zawacki works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Alice earned $176,570 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Brian Lindberg

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$176,320

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $176,320
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,320
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,320
Basic Pay (before locality): $176,320
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Brian Lindberg holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $176,320. Their pay grade is 04.

Tadesse Wodajo

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$175,721

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $175,502
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $219
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,721
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $175,502
Basic Pay (before locality): $175,502
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Tadesse Wodajo works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Tadesse earned $175,721 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Daniel Lew

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$175,641

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $175,641
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,641
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Davis
Work county: Yolo
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $175,641
Basic Pay (before locality): $175,641
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 060980113
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Daniel Lew is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Davis, California. 2024 total compensation came to $175,641. They are classified at grade 04.

Susan Laporte

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$175,205

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $174,839
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $366
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,205
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,839
Basic Pay (before locality): $174,839
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Susan Laporte serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $175,205. They are classified at grade 04.

Ryan Smith

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$175,090

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $175,090
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,090
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $175,090
Basic Pay (before locality): $175,090
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Ryan Smith works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Ryan earned $175,090 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Julian Kolev

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,997

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $167,276
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,721
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,997
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $167,276
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Julian Kolev is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $174,997. They are classified at grade 14.

Nathan Goldschlag

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nathan Goldschlag works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Nathan earned $174,894 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Andrew Foote

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Andrew Foote serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,894. They are classified at grade 15.

Min-Yang Lee

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,858

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $174,858
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,858
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,858
Basic Pay (before locality): $174,858
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Min-Yang Lee holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In 2024, their total compensation was $174,858. Their pay grade is 04.

John Voorheis

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,350

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $174,350
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,350
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Berkley
Work county: Oakland
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,350
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 260440125
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, John Voorheis serves as a Economist based in Berkley, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,350. They are classified at grade 15.

Wade Petty

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,212

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $171,749
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,463
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,212
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Asheville
Work county: Buncombe
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,749
Basic Pay (before locality): $171,749
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370170021
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Wade Petty holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $174,212. Their pay grade is 05.

Daniel Jackson

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$174,199

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $174,199
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,199
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,199
Basic Pay (before locality): $174,199
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Daniel Jackson holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $174,199. Their pay grade is 04.

Steven Zemanek

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$172,841

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $172,841
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,841
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,841
Basic Pay (before locality): $172,841
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Steven Zemanek serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $172,841. They are classified at grade 04.

Paul Medzerian

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$172,834

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $171,834
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,834
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,834
Basic Pay (before locality): $171,834
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Paul Medzerian holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $172,834. Their pay grade is 04.

Matthew Calby

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$172,251

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $172,251
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,251
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,251
Basic Pay (before locality): $172,251
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Matthew Calby is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $172,251. They are classified at grade 04.

Marina Gindelsky

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$172,180

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $172,180
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,180
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,180
Basic Pay (before locality): $172,180
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Marina Gindelsky holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $172,180. Their pay grade is 04.