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 2

Nicholas Rada

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nicholas Rada works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Nicholas earned $180,359 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Katherine Genadek

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Genadek holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $180,359. Their pay grade is 15.

Misty Heggeness

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Misty Heggeness is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $180,359. They are classified at grade 15.

Henry Hyatt

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Henry Hyatt is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $180,359. They are classified at grade 15.

Fariha Kamal

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Fariha Kamal holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $180,359. Their pay grade is 15.

Jonathan Rothbaum

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Jonathan Rothbaum serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $180,359. They are classified at grade 15.

Martha Stinson

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Martha Stinson serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $180,359. They are classified at grade 15.

Gerard Torres

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$180,086

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,163
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,086
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fairfax
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,923
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510900600
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gerard Torres is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Fairfax, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $180,086. They are classified at grade 14.

Ryan Howley

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,608

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $179,608
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,608
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,608
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,608
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Ryan Howley serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $179,608. They are classified at grade 04.

Chad Demarest

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,462

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $179,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,462
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,462
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,462
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Chad Demarest serves as a Economist based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Their 2024 pay totaled $179,462. They are classified at grade 04.

Andrew Kitts

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,462

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $179,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,462
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,462
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,462
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Andrew Kitts works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Andrew earned $179,462 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Scott Steinback

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,462

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $179,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,462
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Woods Hole
Work county: Barnstable
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,462
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,462
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251517001
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Scott Steinback serves as a Economist based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Their 2024 pay totaled $179,462. They are classified at grade 04.

Eric Thunberg

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,462

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $179,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,462
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Rochester
Work county: Strafford
Work state: New Hampshire

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,462
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,462
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 330440017
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Eric Thunberg serves as a Economist based in Rochester, New Hampshire. Their 2024 pay totaled $179,462. They are classified at grade 04.

Andrea Cook

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,321

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $179,321
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,321
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,321
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,321
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Andrea Cook works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Andrea earned $179,321 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Frank Baumgardner

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,270

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $179,270
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,270
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,270
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,270
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Frank Baumgardner works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Frank earned $179,270 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Peter Battikha

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,782

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $178,782
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,782
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $178,782
Basic Pay (before locality): $178,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Peter Battikha holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $178,782. Their pay grade is 04.