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

Job-title file

Cooking

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

16 employees hold this title in Department of Homeland Security. Median total compensation for the role is $65,427, below the department median of $107,590.

Employees: 16
Total payroll: $1.1M
Role median: $65,427
Agency median: $107,590
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$48,627$92,867+

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

How total compensation varies among the 16 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

Cooking pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — about 441,050 people — is $37,450. Department of Homeland Security pays a median base salary of $65,427 for this role, 75% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Homeland Security sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$28,480

$32,440

$37,450

$44,800

$49,670

Department of Homeland Security median · $65,427

The bar is the range of annual wages for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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 $65,427, 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)

Cooking is held in 5 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Homeland Security, the median of $65,427 ranks #1 of 5.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Health and Human Services

$60,189 · 119

Department of Veterans Affairs

$53,072 · 1,723

Department of Agriculture

$52,278 · 97

Department of Interior

$49,416 · 206

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

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Homeland Security

Accounting 408
Accounting Technician 266
Administrative Officer 134
Aircraft Mechanic 127
Auditing 306
Budget Analysis 462
Civil Engineering 199
Civil Rights Analysis 98
Construction Analyst 126
Contracting 1,236
DHS Cybersecurity Specialist (For DHS Use Only) 180
Economist 102
Education and Vocational Training 92
Electrician 105
Emergency Management Specialist 10,736
Engineering Technical 91
Environmental Protection Specialist 882
Equal Employment Opportunity 147
Equipment Facilities, and Services 125
Equipment Services 118
Financial Administration and Program 933
Fire Protection and Prevention 101
General Attorney 1,189
General Business and Industry 310
General Engineering 423
General Legal and Kindred Administration 335
Government Information Specialist 338
Grants Management 408
Human Resources Assistance 200
Human Resources Management 1,693
Information Technology Management 4,531
Instructional Systems 151
Inventory Management 185
Language Specialist 90
Legal Instruments Examining 272
Logistics Management 600
Maintenance Mechanic 262
Management and Program Analysis 7,363
Management and Program Clerical and Assistance 395
Marine Machinery Mechanic 97
Materials Handler 143
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 7,297
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 583
Operations Research 167
Painting 108
Paralegal Specialist 116
Program Management 1,075
Public Affairs 436
Safety and Occupational Health Management 186
Secretary 119
Security Administration 1,385
Security Clerical and Assistance 1,013
Social Science 137
Statistics 90
Supply Clerical and Technician 100
Supply Program Management 826
Telecommunications 404
Training Instruction 773
Transportation Operations 189
Transportation Specialist 162

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Keith Farrell

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$98,026

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $98,026
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,026
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,026
Basic Pay (before locality): $98,026
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Keith Farrell is a Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $98,026. They are classified at grade 08.

Christian Borst

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$80,830

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $80,830
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,830
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,830
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,830
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Christian Borst holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,830. Their pay grade is 08.

Alice Corbin

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$80,830

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $80,830
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,830
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,830
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,830
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Alice Corbin holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,830. Their pay grade is 08.

Frederick Hussey

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$80,830

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $80,830
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,830
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,830
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,830
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Frederick Hussey is a Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $80,830. They are classified at grade 08.

David Vollmerhausen

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$80,830

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $80,830
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,830
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,830
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,830
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

At Department of Homeland Security, David Vollmerhausen serves as a Cooking based in Round Hill, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $80,830. They are classified at grade 08.

Lisa Pierce

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$73,254

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $73,254
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,254
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $73,254
Basic Pay (before locality): $73,254
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Lisa Pierce holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $73,254. Their pay grade is 08.

Robert Polendey

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$68,078

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $68,078
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,078
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $68,078
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,078
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Robert Polendey holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $68,078. Their pay grade is 08.

Michael Nickens

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$65,427

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $65,427
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,427
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $65,427
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,427
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Homeland Security, Michael Nickens serves as a Cooking based in Round Hill, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $65,427. They are classified at grade 08.

Howard Dunn

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$65,427

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $65,427
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,427
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $65,427
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,427
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Howard Dunn holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $65,427. Their pay grade is 08.

Amber Rosenberger

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$65,427

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $65,427
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,427
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $65,427
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,427
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Homeland Security, Amber Rosenberger serves as a Cooking based in Round Hill, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $65,427. They are classified at grade 08.

Angela Whetzel

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$63,027

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $63,027
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $63,027
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $63,027
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,027
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Angela Whetzel is a Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $63,027. They are classified at grade 06.

Shelley Wills

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$60,794

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $60,794
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,794
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $60,794
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,794
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Shelley Wills is a Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $60,794. They are classified at grade 06.

John Gavin

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$56,266

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $56,266
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,266
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,266
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,266
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

John Gavin holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $56,266. Their pay grade is 06.

Panpak Bunnasopit

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$56,266

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $56,266
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,266
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,266
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,266
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Panpak Bunnasopit is a Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $56,266. They are classified at grade 06.

Gonzalez Ramos

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$50,547

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $50,547
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,547
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,547
Basic Pay (before locality): $50,547
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Gonzalez Ramos holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $50,547. Their pay grade is 04.

Donna Haberly

Cooking/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$48,627

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $48,627
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,627
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Round Hill
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,627
Basic Pay (before locality): $48,627
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512130107
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 7404
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Donna Haberly holds the role of Cooking at Department of Homeland Security based in Round Hill, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $48,627. Their pay grade is 04.