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

Gary Kiang

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$177,057

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $177,057
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,057
Pay grade: 14
Work city: South Orange
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,057
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 343150013
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gary Kiang holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in South Orange, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $177,057. Their pay grade is 14.

Alisa Lahey

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$176,923

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,923
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Falls Church
Work county: Falls Church
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: 510930610
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alisa Lahey works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Falls Church, Virginia. Alisa earned $176,923 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Thomas Rock

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$176,620

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $176,620
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,620
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,620
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Rock works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Denver, Colorado. Thomas earned $176,620 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Kathryn Pericak

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kathryn Pericak works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. Kathryn earned $176,570 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Angela Sierra

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
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): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angela Sierra holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $176,570. Their pay grade is 14.

Sarah Morgan

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$176,244

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,244
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
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: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Morgan holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Arlington, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $176,244. Their pay grade is 15.

Brian Bayne

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Bayne is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $174,894. They are classified at grade 15.

Rebecca Liu

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Fort Mcnair
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110100001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rebecca Liu holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Fort Mcnair, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $174,894. Their pay grade is 15.

Alice Abrokwa

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Alice Abrokwa serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,894. They are classified at grade 15.

John Stephenson

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, John Stephenson serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,894. They are classified at grade 15.

Craig Ginsburg

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$174,811

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $174,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,811
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Hatboro
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 423530091
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Craig Ginsburg holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Education based in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $174,811. Their pay grade is 14.

Amy Niedzalkoski

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$174,735

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $173,985
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,735
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $173,985
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Niedzalkoski is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2024 total compensation came to $174,735. They are classified at grade 15.

Paul Goodwin

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$173,923

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $173,323
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,923
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $173,323
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Goodwin is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Seattle, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $173,923. They are classified at grade 14.

Noel Nightingale

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$173,323

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $173,323
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,323
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $173,323
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Noel Nightingale serves as a General Attorney based in Seattle, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $173,323. They are classified at grade 14.

Naghmeh Ordikhani

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$173,136

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,386
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,136
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,386
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Naghmeh Ordikhani serves as a General Attorney based in San Francisco, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $173,136. They are classified at grade 14.

Sakina Vidacak

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$173,081

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,581
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,081
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,581
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sakina Vidacak works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. Sakina earned $173,081 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Fuentes Raco

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,886

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,386
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,886
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,386
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Fuentes Raco serves as a General Attorney based in San Francisco, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $172,886. They are classified at grade 14.

David Krieger

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,772

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,772
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Westfield
Work county: Union
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,272
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 343570039
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Krieger is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Westfield, New Jersey. 2024 total compensation came to $172,772. They are classified at grade 14.

Terri Gonzales

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,765

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $171,765
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,765
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,765
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Terri Gonzales is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $172,765. They are classified at grade 15.

Carolyn Seugling

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,732

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $809
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,732
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,923
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carolyn Seugling is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $172,732. They are classified at grade 14.

Elizabeth Greczek

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,697

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $774
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,697
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,923
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Greczek is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $172,697. They are classified at grade 14.

Paul Coxe

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,581

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,581
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,581
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,581
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Coxe is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $172,581. They are classified at grade 14.

Eric Bueide

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,272

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,272
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Bloomfield
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,272
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340320013
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Eric Bueide is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Bloomfield, New Jersey. 2024 total compensation came to $172,272. They are classified at grade 14.

Sarah Angilello

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,091

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $172,091
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,091
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Lakewood
Work county: Jefferson
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: 081435059
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Angilello works as a General Attorney for Department of Education based in Lakewood, Colorado. Sarah earned $172,091 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Patrick Alexander

General Attorney/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$172,091

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $172,091
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,091
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
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: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Patrick Alexander is a General Attorney at Department of Education based in Denver, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $172,091. They are classified at grade 14.