U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Health and Human Services / Economist

Job-title file

Economist

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

237 employees hold this title in Department of Health and Human Services. Median total compensation for the role is $153,336, above the department median of $129,759.

Employees: 237
Total payroll: $34.8M
Role median: $153,336
Agency median: $129,759
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$52,175$214,058+

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

How total compensation varies among the 237 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 Health and Human Services pays a median base salary of $153,336 for this role, 23% above that figure — about the 64th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Health and Human Services sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,360

$89,330

$124,720

$174,720

$238,060

Department of Health and Human Services median · $153,336

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 Health and Human Services’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Health and Human Services is $153,336, 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 Health and Human Services, the median of $153,336 ranks #22 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

Department of Justice

$191,900 · 55

Federal Trade Commission

$191,900 · 88

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

Salam Abdus

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Agy for Healthcare Research and Quality
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Salam Abdus works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Rockville, Maryland. Salam earned $181,216 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Cristina Mclaughlin

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Cristina Mclaughlin serves as a Economist based in College Park, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Gilbert Crouse

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gilbert Crouse is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Laura Nelson

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laura Nelson works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. Laura earned $181,216 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Didem Bernard

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Agy for Healthcare Research and Quality
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Didem Bernard serves as a Economist based in Rockville, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Julie Hudson

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Agy for Healthcare Research and Quality
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Julie Hudson serves as a Economist based in Rockville, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Lan Liang

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Agy for Healthcare Research and Quality
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lan Liang holds the role of Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Rockville, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $181,216. Their pay grade is 14.

Andrew Estrin

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Estrin is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in College Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Patricia Hall

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Wheaton
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241675031
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Patricia Hall is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Wheaton, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Edward Puro

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: College Park
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240370033
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Edward Puro is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in College Park, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Sheila Smith

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sheila Smith is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Kimberly Andrews

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Andrews works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Kimberly earned $181,216 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Sean Keehan

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Sean Keehan serves as a Economist based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Mollie Knight

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mollie Knight is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Anne Martin

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Anne Martin is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Nancy Zhang

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nancy Zhang is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Thomas Henry

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Thomas Henry serves as a Economist based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $180,359. They are classified at grade 15.

Judith Dey

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Judith Dey holds the role of Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $180,359. Their pay grade is 15.

Aaron Kearsley

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$180,359

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $180,359
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $180,359
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $180,359
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,344
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Aaron Kearsley holds the role of Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $180,359. Their pay grade is 15.

Martin Meltzer

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$179,309

Sub-department: Centers for Disease Control and Preventn
Base pay: $179,309
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,309
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: De Kalb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,309
Basic Pay (before locality): $179,309
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280089
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): RF

Martin Meltzer is a Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. 2024 total compensation came to $179,309. They are classified at grade 00.

Stephen Pegula

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Health Resources and Services Administrative
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
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: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Stephen Pegula serves as a Economist based in Rockville, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $176,570. They are classified at grade 14.

Samuel Rowe

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Health Resources and Services Administrative
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fulton
Work county: Howard
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: 240618027
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Samuel Rowe holds the role of Economist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Fulton, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $176,570. Their pay grade is 14.

Liming Cai

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
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: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Liming Cai works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Liming earned $176,570 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Gigi Cuckler

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
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: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gigi Cuckler works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Gigi earned $176,570 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Al Kaylani

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Al Kaylani works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. Al earned $176,570 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Matthew Rosenberg

Economist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$175,580

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $175,580
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,580
Pay grade: D2
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $175,580
Basic Pay (before locality): $175,580
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Matthew Rosenberg works as a Economist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Rockville, Maryland. Matthew earned $175,580 in 2024. Their pay grade is D2.