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

Job-title file

Nurse

Provide direct patient care — assess conditions, administer treatment and medication, and coordinate with physicians.

4,485 employees hold this title in Department of Health and Human Services. Median total compensation for the role is $110,598, below the department median of $129,759.

Employees: 4,485
Total payroll: $498.7M
Role median: $110,598
Agency median: $129,759
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$172,619+

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

How total compensation varies among the 4,485 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

Nurse pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Registered Nurses — about 3,379,720 people — is $97,550. Department of Health and Human Services pays a median base salary of $110,598 for this role, 13% above that figure — about the 72nd 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

$68,940

$80,330

$97,550

$112,350

$137,470

Department of Health and Human Services median · $110,598

The bar is the range of annual wages for Registered Nurses 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 4,468 of 4,485 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 $110,598, 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)

Nurse is held in 19 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Health and Human Services, the median of $110,598 ranks #10 of 19.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Office of Personnel Management

$141,557 · 3

Department of Transportation

$130,908 · 4

Department of State

$128,956 · 50

Peace Corps

$128,106 · 29

Department of Labor

$121,003 · 22

Social Security Administration

$119,928 · 8

Environmental Protection Agency

$118,228 · 4

Department of Veterans Affairs

$118,121 · 92,279

Corporal for National and Community Service

$114,521 · 2

Smithsonian Institution

$109,119 · 5

Department of Homeland Security

$108,452 · 32

Government Printing Office

$107,717 · 4

Median total compensation for the Nurse 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

Nurse beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 10 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $117,763 ranks #5 of 10. See Nurse across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Connecticut

$137,545 · 21

District of Columbia

$125,970 · 17

Seattle Public Schools

$122,042 · 83

City of Boston

$119,955 · 184

Texas

$89,691 · 2,589

New York Public Authorities

$77,669 · 1,445

Davis School District, Utah

$62,622 · 30

Ramsey County, Minnesota

$23,847 · 121

Median total compensation for comparable Nurse 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

Sarah Spector

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Spector holds the role of Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $129,759. Their pay grade is 13.

Preetha Thomas

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Preetha Thomas is a Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Julie Thompson

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Julie Thompson works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Julie earned $129,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Linda Weiss

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Linda Weiss holds the role of Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $129,759. Their pay grade is 13.

Irina Akelaitis

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Irina Akelaitis serves as a Nurse based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Aileen Almario

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Aileen Almario serves as a Nurse based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Ariel Cress

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ariel Cress works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Ariel earned $129,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Marietta Farrell

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marietta Farrell holds the role of Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $129,759. Their pay grade is 13.

Jermama Keys

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jermama Keys works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Jermama earned $129,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Felicia Kyeremeh

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Felicia Kyeremeh is a Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Jessica Warren

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Warren is a Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Kimberly Johnson

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Johnson works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Kimberly earned $129,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Menbere Haile

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Menbere Haile works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Menbere earned $129,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Tolutope Apaloo

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Health Resources and Services Administrative
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Frederick
Work county: Frederick
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240580021
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tolutope Apaloo works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Frederick, Maryland. Tolutope earned $129,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Anju Johnson

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bethesda
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Anju Johnson holds the role of Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $129,759. Their pay grade is 13.

Susan Kimberling

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,679

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $129,179
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,679
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,179
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Susan Kimberling holds the role of Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $129,679. Their pay grade is 11.

Richard Casquejo

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,679

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $129,179
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,679
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,179
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Richard Casquejo serves as a Nurse based in Phoenix, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $129,679. They are classified at grade 11.

Chelsea Ellsworth

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,512

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $129,512
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,512
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Fort Duchesne
Work county: Uintah
Work state: Utah

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,512
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 490507047
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Chelsea Ellsworth works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Fort Duchesne, Utah. Chelsea earned $129,512 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Julie Keel

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,512

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $129,512
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,512
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Salem
Work county: Marion
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,512
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411810047
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Julie Keel works as a Nurse for Department of Health and Human Services based in Salem, Oregon. Julie earned $129,512 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Terry Watson

Nurse/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$129,512

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $129,512
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,512
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,512
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0610
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Terry Watson is a Nurse at Department of Health and Human Services based in Kayenta, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $129,512. They are classified at grade 11.