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

Job-title file

Economist

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

102 employees hold this title in Department of Homeland Security. Median total compensation for the role is $162,629, above the department median of $107,590.

Employees: 102
Total payroll: $16.2M
Role median: $162,629
Agency median: $107,590
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$86,962$193,400+

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

How total compensation varies among the 102 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 Homeland Security pays a median base salary of $162,629 for this role, 30% above that figure — about the 69th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Homeland Security sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,360

$89,330

$124,720

$174,720

$238,060

Department of Homeland Security median · $162,629

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 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 $162,629, 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 Homeland Security, the median of $162,629 ranks #16 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

David Houser

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$221,900

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $221,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $221,900
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $221,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $221,900
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): SL

David Houser works as a Economist for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. David earned $221,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

James Ruger

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$202,609

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $202,609
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $202,609
Pay grade: K
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $202,609
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

James Ruger is a Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Springfield, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $202,609. They are classified at grade K.

Jeffrey Horn

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$193,400

Sub-department: U.S. Coast Guard
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,400
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Oakland Park
Work county: Broward
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122260011
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Jeffrey Horn serves as a Economist based in Oakland Park, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $193,400. They are classified at grade 15.

Arturo Rios

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$193,400

Sub-department: U.S. Coast Guard
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,400
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Leesburg
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511440107
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Arturo Rios holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Leesburg, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $193,400. Their pay grade is 15.

Holly Allen

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Holly Allen serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Charlotte Skey

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $155,849
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charlotte Skey holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Todd Steiner

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Todd Steiner holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Wen-Huei Chang

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Wen-Huei Chang serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Jan Lyons

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jan Lyons works as a Economist for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jan earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Anthony Cheesebrough

Economist/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: Boulder
Work county: Boulder
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080200013
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Anthony Cheesebrough holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Boulder, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Stella Tamayo

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stella Tamayo holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,289. Their pay grade is 15.

Caleb O'Kray

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: U.S. Coast Guard
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Manassas
Work county: Manassas
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511550683
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Caleb O'Kray holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Manassas, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,289. Their pay grade is 15.

Patrick Murray

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: K
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Patrick Murray holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Springfield, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,289. Their pay grade is K.

Olga Livingston

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Vienna
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512510059
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Olga Livingston works as a Economist for Department of Homeland Security based in Vienna, Virginia. Olga earned $191,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Shaina Wojciechowicz

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shaina Wojciechowicz holds the role of Economist at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,289. Their pay grade is 15.

Michael Pickford

Economist/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$189,438

Sub-department: Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security
Base pay: $189,438
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $189,438
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Barrington
Work county: Bristol
Work state: Rhode Island

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $189,438
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 440013001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Michael Pickford serves as a Economist based in Barrington, Rhode Island. Their 2024 pay totaled $189,438. They are classified at grade 15.