U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Energy / Economist

Job-title file

Economist

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

205 employees hold this title in Department of Energy. Median total compensation for the role is $129,759, below the department median of $134,419.

Employees: 205
Total payroll: $26.4M
Role median: $129,759
Agency median: $134,419
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$55,924$193,289+

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

How total compensation varies among the 205 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 Energy pays a median base salary of $129,759 for this role, 4% above that figure — about the 53rd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Energy sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,360

$89,330

$124,720

$174,720

$238,060

Department of Energy median · $129,759

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

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Energy is $129,759, 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 Energy, the median of $129,759 ranks #37 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

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

$191,900 · 3

Federal Trade Commission

$191,900 · 88

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

Gavin Pickenpaugh

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$151,610

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $151,610
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,610
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Pittsburgh
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $151,610
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426600003
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gavin Pickenpaugh works as a Economist for Department of Energy based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gavin earned $151,610 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Lori Aniti

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$149,922

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,922
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lori Aniti works as a Economist for Department of Energy based in Rockville, Maryland. Lori earned $149,922 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Candace Dunn

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$149,922

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,922
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Candace Dunn holds the role of Economist at Department of Energy based in Arlington, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $149,922. Their pay grade is 13.

Javed Zaidi

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Javed Zaidi works as a Economist for Department of Energy based in Invalid, Invalid. Javed earned $149,422 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Rene Forsberg

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rene Forsberg holds the role of Economist at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $149,422. Their pay grade is 13.

Debra Warady

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$149,189

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $148,689
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,189
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,689
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Debra Warady holds the role of Economist at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $149,189. Their pay grade is 14.

Kenneth Dubin

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$148,989

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $148,689
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,989
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,689
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kenneth Dubin works as a Economist for Department of Energy based in Bethesda, Maryland. Kenneth earned $148,989 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Melissa Lynes

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$148,766

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $148,766
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,766
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Lillington
Work county: Harnett
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,766
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 372650085
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Melissa Lynes holds the role of Economist at Department of Energy based in Lillington, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $148,766. Their pay grade is 14.

Sean Hill

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$148,766

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $148,766
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,766
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Raleigh
Work county: Wake
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,766
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 373750183
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sean Hill is a Economist at Department of Energy based in Raleigh, North Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $148,766. They are classified at grade 14.

Christina Arreaza

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$148,689

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $148,689
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,689
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,689
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christina Arreaza works as a Economist for Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. Christina earned $148,689 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Shelley Egerdahl

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$147,858

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $144,608
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,858
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Portland
Work county: Multnomah
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,608
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650051
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Shelley Egerdahl serves as a Economist based in Portland, Oregon. Their 2024 pay totaled $147,858. They are classified at grade 13.

Glen Booth

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$147,808

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $144,608
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,808
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Portland
Work county: Multnomah
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,608
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650051
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Glen Booth serves as a Economist based in Portland, Oregon. Their 2024 pay totaled $147,808. They are classified at grade 13.

Michael Cocks

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$147,558

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $144,608
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,950
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,558
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Portland
Work county: Multnomah
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,608
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650051
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Cocks is a Economist at Department of Energy based in Portland, Oregon. 2024 total compensation came to $147,558. They are classified at grade 13.

Faouzi Aloulou

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$145,989

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,989
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fairfax
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510900600
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Energy, Faouzi Aloulou serves as a Economist based in Fairfax, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,989. They are classified at grade 13.

Natalie Kempkey

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$145,542

Sub-department: Department of Energy
Base pay: $144,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,542
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,042
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Natalie Kempkey works as a Economist for Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. Natalie earned $145,542 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Deirdra Archie

Economist/Department of Energy

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deirdra Archie holds the role of Economist at Department of Energy based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $145,489. Their pay grade is 13.