U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Commerce / General Attorney

Job-title file

General Attorney

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

1,548 employees hold this title in Department of Commerce. Median total compensation for the role is $173,130, above the department median of $127,707.

Employees: 1,548
Total payroll: $251.2M
Role median: $173,130
Agency median: $127,707
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$72,553$204,000+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 1,548 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

General Attorney pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. Department of Commerce pays a median base salary of $169,429 for this role, 6% above that figure — about the 54th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Commerce sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Commerce median · $169,429

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers 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.

Computed over the 1,547 of 1,548 people in this role paid at least $25,000 in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Commerce is $173,130, 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)

General Attorney is held in 98 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Commerce, the median of $173,130 ranks #61 of 98.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation

$322,736 · 2

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$252,927 · 273

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$251,693 · 354

Securities and Exchange Commission

$233,730 · 2,163

Federal Reserve System

$216,602 · 375

National Science Foundation

$203,415 · 32

Presidio Trust

$200,888 · 4

Federal Permitting Improvement Steer

$197,900 · 3

Denali Commission

$191,900 · 1

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

$191,900 · 5

Department of Treasury

$191,900 · 392

Department of State

$191,900 · 325

Median total compensation for the General Attorney 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

General Attorney beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 2 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $178,914 ranks #1 of 2. See General Attorney across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

New York Public Authorities

$124,825 · 8

Median total compensation for comparable General Attorney roles 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 4

Tina Snapp

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,199

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $174,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,388
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,199
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Rehoboth Beach
Work county: Sussex
Work state: Delaware

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 100410005
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tina Snapp holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. In 2024, their total compensation was $179,199. Their pay grade is 14.

Edward Fennessy

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,158

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,588
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,158
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Edward Fennessy works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Alexandria, Virginia. Edward earned $179,158 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Patricia Evanko

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,130

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $158,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,270
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,130
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Charleston
Work county: Charleston
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,860
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450410019
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Patricia Evanko serves as a General Attorney based in Charleston, South Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $179,130. They are classified at grade 14.

Scott Bibb

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$179,056

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,133
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,056
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Bristow
Work county: Prince William
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: 510305153
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Scott Bibb serves as a General Attorney based in Bristow, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $179,056. They are classified at grade 14.

James Lovelace

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,962

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $176,291
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,671
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,962
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Oceanside
Work county: San Diego
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,291
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062510073
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

James Lovelace is a General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Oceanside, California. 2024 total compensation came to $178,962. They are classified at grade 14.

David Tooley

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,623

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $172,091
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,532
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,623
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Louisville
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,091
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081540013
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, David Tooley serves as a General Attorney based in Louisville, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $178,623. They are classified at grade 14.

Lea Tyhach

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,613

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $178,613
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,613
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Gloucester
Work county: Essex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $178,613
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250430009
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Lea Tyhach serves as a General Attorney based in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Their 2024 pay totaled $178,613. They are classified at grade 15.

Molly Watson

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,600

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $178,600
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,600
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Juneau
Work county: Juneau
Work state: Alaska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $178,600
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 021130110
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Molly Watson serves as a General Attorney based in Juneau, Alaska. Their 2024 pay totaled $178,600. They are classified at grade 15.

Katina Joiner

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,511

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,941
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,511
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Odenton
Work county: Anne Arundel
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: 241160003
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Katina Joiner serves as a General Attorney based in Odenton, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $178,511. They are classified at grade 14.

Kevin Crennan

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,251

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,357
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,251
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kevin Crennan holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $178,251. Their pay grade is 15.

Robert Cohen

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,232

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $157,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,232
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,982
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Robert Cohen works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Invalid, Invalid. Robert earned $178,232 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Thomas Young

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,232

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $157,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,232
Pay grade: 14
Work city: North Potomac
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $157,982
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241137031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Thomas Young serves as a General Attorney based in North Potomac, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $178,232. They are classified at grade 14.

Linda Orndorff

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$178,037

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,467
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,037
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Haymarket
Work county: Prince William
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511200153
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Linda Orndorff works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Haymarket, Virginia. Linda earned $178,037 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

David Hoffman

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$177,970

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,970
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Huntingtown
Work county: Calvert
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: 240819009
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Hoffman is a General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Huntingtown, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $177,970. They are classified at grade 14.

Kyle Peete

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$177,967

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,397
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,967
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Vienna
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512510059
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kyle Peete is a General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Vienna, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $177,967. They are classified at grade 14.

Thomas Manor

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$177,953

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,030
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,953
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
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: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Manor is a General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $177,953. They are classified at grade 14.