U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Homeland Security / Chemistry

Job-title file

Chemistry

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

23 employees hold this title in Department of Homeland Security. Median total compensation for the role is $147,583, above the department median of $107,590.

Employees: 23
Total payroll: $3.6M
Role median: $147,583
Agency median: $107,590
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$96,549$191,900+

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

How total compensation varies among the 23 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

Chemistry pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Chemists — about 82,770 people — is $91,240. Department of Homeland Security pays a median base salary of $147,583 for this role, 62% above that figure — about the 84th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Homeland Security sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$58,460

$69,460

$91,240

$125,550

$160,830

Department of Homeland Security median · $147,583

The bar is the range of annual wages for Chemists across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Homeland Security’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Homeland Security is $147,583, 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)

Chemistry is held in 19 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Homeland Security, the median of $147,583 ranks #9 of 19.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Science Foundation

$204,000 · 28

Department of Energy

$191,900 · 20

Smithsonian Institution

$181,216 · 1

Office of National Drug Control Policy

$180,359 · 1

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

$175,911 · 4

National Transportation Safety Board

$167,276 · 1

Department of Commerce

$155,342 · 290

Department of Veterans Affairs

$147,990 · 38

Department of Health and Human Services

$143,734 · 1,796

Department of Treasury

$133,692 · 34

Consumer Product Safety Commission

$133,692 · 15

Government Printing Office

$129,759 · 1

Median total compensation for the Chemistry role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Thomas Colley

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: South Riding
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512293107
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Colley is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in South Riding, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Shannon Fox

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Aberdeen
Work county: Harford
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240010025
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shannon Fox holds the role of Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Aberdeen, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Rachel Gooding

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Aberdeen
Work county: Harford
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240010025
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Rachel Gooding serves as a Chemistry based in Aberdeen, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Jason Stairs

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Jason Stairs serves as a Chemistry based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Jeffrey Barber

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$184,528

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $184,528
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $184,528
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $184,528
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeffrey Barber is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 2024 total compensation came to $184,528. They are classified at grade 15.

David Hernandez

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
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): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Hernandez holds the role of Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $181,216. Their pay grade is 14.

David Morton

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Aberdeen
Work county: Harford
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: 240010025
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Morton is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Aberdeen, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

David Reed

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Aberdeen
Work county: Harford
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: 240010025
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Reed is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Aberdeen, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Polly Gongwer

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$174,811

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $174,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,811
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Polly Gongwer serves as a Chemistry based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,811. They are classified at grade 14.

Jerry Cabalo

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$171,923

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $171,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,923
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Aberdeen Prov Grnd
Work county: Harford
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,923
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,013
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240015025
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Jerry Cabalo serves as a Chemistry based in Aberdeen Prov Grnd, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $171,923. They are classified at grade 14.

Sun Mcmasters

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$162,629

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,629
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Aberdeen
Work county: Harford
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240010025
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sun Mcmasters is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Aberdeen, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $162,629. They are classified at grade 14.

Kristy Echols

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$147,583

Sub-department: United States Coast Guard
Base pay: $147,583
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,583
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $147,583
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kristy Echols is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Invalid, Invalid. 2024 total compensation came to $147,583. They are classified at grade 13.

Michelle Garraty

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$144,141

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $144,141
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,141
Pay grade: I
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,141
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Michelle Garraty works as a Chemistry for Department of Homeland Security based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Michelle earned $144,141 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Inho Cho

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$144,141

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $144,141
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,141
Pay grade: I
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,141
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Inho Cho is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 2024 total compensation came to $144,141. They are classified at grade I.

Claudia Dengler

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$136,554

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $136,554
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,554
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $136,554
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Claudia Dengler holds the role of Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $136,554. Their pay grade is 13.

Karin Decker

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$133,635

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $133,635
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,635
Pay grade: 13
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,635
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 42
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karin Decker is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in New York - New York, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $133,635. They are classified at grade 13.

Matthew Magee

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$132,760

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $132,760
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,760
Pay grade: I
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $132,760
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

At Department of Homeland Security, Matthew Magee serves as a Chemistry based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $132,760. They are classified at grade I.

Benjamin Wilkins

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$128,967

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $128,967
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,967
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,967
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Benjamin Wilkins works as a Chemistry for Department of Homeland Security based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Benjamin earned $128,967 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Johnny Perez

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$128,967

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $128,967
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,967
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,967
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Johnny Perez serves as a Chemistry based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $128,967. They are classified at grade 13.

Alicia Broderick

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$125,173

Sub-department: Science and Technology Directorate
Base pay: $125,173
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,173
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,173
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Alicia Broderick serves as a Chemistry based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,173. They are classified at grade 13.

William Lizik

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,572

Sub-department: United States Coast Guard
Base pay: $117,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,572
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,327
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

William Lizik holds the role of Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Invalid, Invalid. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,572. Their pay grade is 12.

Hannah Line

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$109,869

Sub-department: Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security
Base pay: $109,119
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,869
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Aberdeen Prov Grnd
Work county: Harford
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $109,119
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,884
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240015025
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Hannah Line is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Aberdeen Prov Grnd, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $109,869. They are classified at grade 12.

Latoya Harmon

Chemistry/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$96,549

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $96,549
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,549
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Anniston
Work county: Calhoun
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,549
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,884
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 010100015
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1320
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Latoya Harmon is a Chemistry at Department of Homeland Security based in Anniston, Alabama. 2024 total compensation came to $96,549. They are classified at grade 12.