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

Job-title file

General Attorney

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

1,153 employees hold this title in Department of Health and Human Services. Median total compensation for the role is $163,033, above the department median of $129,759.

Employees: 1,153
Total payroll: $179.7M
Role median: $163,033
Agency median: $129,759
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$80,994$221,900+

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

How total compensation varies among the 1,153 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 Health and Human Services pays a median base salary of $162,867 for this role, 2% above that figure — about the 51st 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

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Health and Human Services median · $162,867

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

Computed over the 1,150 of 1,153 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 Health and Human Services is $163,033, 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 Health and Human Services, the median of $163,033 ranks #81 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 8

Michele Purdue

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,865

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,865
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,865
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,865
Basic Pay (before locality): $187,865
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): ES

Michele Purdue works as a General Attorney for Department of Health and Human Services based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Michele earned $187,865 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Sunil Abraham

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,773

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,773
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,773
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,773
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sunil Abraham holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in Seattle, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $187,773. Their pay grade is 15.

Katherine Kasameyer

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,598

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,598
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,598
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,598
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Kasameyer is a General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in San Francisco, California. 2024 total compensation came to $187,598. They are classified at grade 14.

Jennifer Mcintosh

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,598

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,598
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,598
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,598
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennifer Mcintosh works as a General Attorney for Department of Health and Human Services based in San Francisco, California. Jennifer earned $187,598 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Patrick Stewart

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,598

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,598
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,598
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,598
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Patrick Stewart is a General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in San Francisco, California. 2024 total compensation came to $187,598. They are classified at grade 14.

Lisa Steele

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,379

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,379
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,379
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,379
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lisa Steele works as a General Attorney for Department of Health and Human Services based in Dallas, Texas. Lisa earned $187,379 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Keith Eichenholz

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,333

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,333
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,333
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Keith Eichenholz serves as a General Attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $187,333. They are classified at grade 15.

Michelle Gilliam

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,333

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,333
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,333
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michelle Gilliam works as a General Attorney for Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. Michelle earned $187,333 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Katrina Hodges

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,333

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,333
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: De Kalb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,333
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280089
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katrina Hodges works as a General Attorney for Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. Katrina earned $187,333 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Robert Nerthling

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,333

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,333
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,333
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Robert Nerthling is a General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. 2024 total compensation came to $187,333. They are classified at grade 15.

Erin Shear

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,333

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,333
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,333
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Erin Shear serves as a General Attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $187,333. They are classified at grade 15.

Audrey Williams

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$187,333

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $187,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,333
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: De Kalb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $187,333
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280089
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Audrey Williams holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $187,333. Their pay grade is 15.

Jennifer Leavengood

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$186,854

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $186,854
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,854
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kathleen
Work county: Houston
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $186,854
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132985153
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennifer Leavengood works as a General Attorney for Department of Health and Human Services based in Kathleen, Georgia. Jennifer earned $186,854 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Christopher Monsey

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$186,854

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $186,854
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,854
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Oklahoma City
Work county: Oklahoma
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $186,854
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403550109
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christopher Monsey is a General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 2024 total compensation came to $186,854. They are classified at grade 15.

Marci Norton

General Attorney/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$186,854

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $186,854
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,854
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Candler
Work county: Buncombe
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $186,854
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370737021
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marci Norton is a General Attorney at Department of Health and Human Services based in Candler, North Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $186,854. They are classified at grade 15.