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

Job-title file

General Attorney

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

588 employees hold this title in Department of Education. Median total compensation for the role is $147,176, above the department median of $144,712.

Employees: 588
Total payroll: $86.6M
Role median: $147,176
Agency median: $144,712
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$72,553$195,509+

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

How total compensation varies among the 588 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 Education pays a median base salary of $146,352 for this role, 8% below that figure — about the 44th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Education sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Education median · $146,352

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 Education’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Education is $147,176, 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 Education, the median of $147,176 ranks #90 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 Attorneyroles 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

David Clauser

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$115,533

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $115,533
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,533
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Shawnee
Work county: Johnson
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,533
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 205090091
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Clauser holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Shawnee, Kansas. In 2024, their total compensation was $115,533. Their pay grade is 13.

Andrew Jorgenson

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$115,533

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $115,533
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,533
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bonner Springs
Work county: Wyandotte
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,533
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 200580209
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Jorgenson works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Andrew earned $115,533 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Vanessa Johnson

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$115,470

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $114,970
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,470
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,970
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Vanessa Johnson is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Denver, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $115,470. They are classified at grade 13.

Kristen Marrazza

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$115,377

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $115,377
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,377
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Schertz
Work county: Guadalupe
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,377
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 486237187
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kristen Marrazza is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Schertz, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $115,377. They are classified at grade 13.

Karen Bauer

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$115,336

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $115,336
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,336
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Milwaukee
Work county: Milwaukee
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,336
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 553100079
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karen Bauer is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 2024 total compensation came to $115,336. They are classified at grade 13.

Christopher Farrelly

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$114,704

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $114,704
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,704
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Madison
Work county: Madison
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,704
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 011970089
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Christopher Farrelly serves as a General Attorney based in Madison, Alabama. Their 2024 pay totaled $114,704. They are classified at grade 13.

Cara Mcgraw

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$114,601

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $114,601
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,601
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Altadena
Work county: Los Angeles
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,601
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 060042037
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cara Mcgraw works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Altadena, California. Cara earned $114,601 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Lee Robbins

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$114,543

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $114,043
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,543
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Pittsburgh
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,043
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426600003
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Lee Robbins serves as a General Attorney based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $114,543. They are classified at grade 13.

Spencer Plante

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$114,292

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $113,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,292
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,792
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Spencer Plante holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $114,292. Their pay grade is 13.

Evan Curdts

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$113,297

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $113,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,297
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Austin
Work county: Travis
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480330453
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Evan Curdts holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Austin, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,297. Their pay grade is 13.

Nasser Siadat

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$113,091

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $112,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,091
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Plano
Work county: Collin
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 485390085
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nasser Siadat is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Plano, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $113,091. They are classified at grade 13.

Briana August

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$112,341

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $112,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,341
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Briana August holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,341. Their pay grade is 13.

Bethany Echols

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$112,341

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $112,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,341
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Bethany Echols is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $112,341. They are classified at grade 13.

Karen Mcdowell

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$110,804

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $110,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,804
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bradenton
Work county: Manatee
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,304
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 120340081
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karen Mcdowell works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Bradenton, Florida. Karen earned $110,804 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Laura Yearout

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$110,278

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $109,278
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,278
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $109,278
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laura Yearout holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $110,278. Their pay grade is 13.