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

Mauricio Ortiz

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$197,156

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $197,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,156
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,156
Basic Pay (before locality): $197,156
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ES

Mauricio Ortiz works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Mauricio earned $197,156 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Aya Hamano

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$194,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $194,900
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Aya Hamano works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Aya earned $194,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Sabrina Montes

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$194,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $194,900
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Sabrina Montes works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Sabrina earned $194,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Jeffrey Barnett

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$194,510

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $194,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $194,510
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $194,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $194,510
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ES

Jeffrey Barnett holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $194,510. Their pay grade is 00.

Ricardo Limes

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$194,510

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $194,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $194,510
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $194,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $194,510
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ES

Ricardo Limes is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $194,510. They are classified at grade 00.

John Laffman

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$193,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,900
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, John Laffman serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $193,900. They are classified at grade 04.

Sharon Panek

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$193,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,900
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Mclean
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511520059
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Sharon Panek is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Mclean, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $193,900. They are classified at grade 05.

Matthew Vonkerczek

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$193,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,900
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Matthew Vonkerczek holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $193,900. Their pay grade is 04.

J Brown

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$193,558

Sub-department: U.S. Census Bureau
Base pay: $193,558
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,558
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Maple Grove
Work county: Hennepin
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $193,558
Basic Pay (before locality): $193,558
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 274495053
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ST

J Brown works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Maple Grove, Minnesota. J earned $193,558 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Michael Berry

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$193,393

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,393
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,393
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Annapolis
Work county: Anne Arundel
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,393
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,393
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240030003
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Michael Berry holds the role of Economist at Department of Commerce based in Annapolis, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $193,393. Their pay grade is 04.

Harvey Davis

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$192,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,900
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Harvey Davis works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Harvey earned $192,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

James Fetzer

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$192,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,900
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

James Fetzer works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. James earned $192,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Douglas Weinberg

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$192,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,900
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Douglas Weinberg works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Douglas earned $192,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Elena Nguyen

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$192,900

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,900
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Elena Nguyen is a Economist at Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $192,900. They are classified at grade 04.

Alice Ramey

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$192,632

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,632
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

Alice Ramey works as a Economist for Department of Commerce based in Suitland, Maryland. Alice earned $192,632 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Callan Swenson

Economist/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$192,485

Sub-department: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,485
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Suitland
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $191,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241520033
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): ZP

At Department of Commerce, Callan Swenson serves as a Economist based in Suitland, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $192,485. They are classified at grade 04.