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

Job-title file

General Attorney

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

1,189 employees hold this title in Department of Homeland Security. Median total compensation for the role is $180,359, above the department median of $107,590.

Employees: 1,189
Total payroll: $203.5M
Role median: $180,359
Agency median: $107,590
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$210,807+

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

How total compensation varies among the 1,189 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 Homeland Security pays a median base salary of $180,359 for this role, 13% above that figure — about the 58th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Homeland Security sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Homeland Security median · $180,359

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 Homeland Security’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 1,185 of 1,189 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 Homeland Security is $180,359, 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 Homeland Security, the median of $180,359 ranks #46 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 2

Ashley Lacher

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$140,389

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $140,389
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $140,389
Pay grade: J
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $140,389
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Ashley Lacher is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Denver, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $140,389. They are classified at grade J.

Cecelia Green

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,895

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,895
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Cecelia Green serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,895. They are classified at grade 14.

Jenny Penado

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Camp Springs
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Jenny Penado serves as a General Attorney based in Camp Springs, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Christopher Jaramillo

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: U.S. Coast Guard
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christopher Jaramillo holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is 14.

Judith Gomez

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Judith Gomez works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Judith earned $139,395 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Abbie Gruwell

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Abbie Gruwell works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Abbie earned $139,395 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Regina York

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Regina York holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is 14.

Paul Myers

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Camp Springs
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Myers is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Camp Springs, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Ron Friedman

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: J
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

At Department of Homeland Security, Ron Friedman serves as a General Attorney based in Springfield, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,395. They are classified at grade J.

Serena Nguyen

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: J
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Serena Nguyen holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Springfield, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is J.

Karen Barefield

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Karen Barefield holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is 14.

Jane Ehrenfeld

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Jane Ehrenfeld works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jane earned $139,395 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Diana Godana

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Diana Godana is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Juan Mari

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Juan Mari holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is 14.

Eden Miller

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Eden Miller is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Eric Schmitz

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Eric Schmitz serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Shahnam Thompson

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Shahnam Thompson holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is 14.

Austin Watkins

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Austin Watkins holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $139,395. Their pay grade is 14.

Jacqueline Dupuy

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: J
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

At Department of Homeland Security, Jacqueline Dupuy serves as a General Attorney based in Springfield, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,395. They are classified at grade J.

Jonathan Breeding

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

At Department of Homeland Security, Jonathan Breeding serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Elizabeth Magliaro

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$138,951

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $138,951
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,951
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $138,951
Basic Pay (before locality): $108,091
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Elizabeth Magliaro works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth earned $138,951 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Jessica Hurst

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$138,492

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $138,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,492
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Guaynabo
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $138,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: RQ0450000
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Jessica Hurst works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Guaynabo, No Data Reported. Jessica earned $138,492 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Karneisha O'Connell

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$138,033

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $138,033
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,033
Pay grade: K
Work city: Newark
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Basic Pay (before locality): $138,033
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 342130013
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

At Department of Homeland Security, Karneisha O'Connell serves as a General Attorney based in Newark, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $138,033. They are classified at grade K.

Sarah Grabenstein

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$137,624

Sub-department: U.S. Coast Guard
Base pay: $137,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,624
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,624
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Grabenstein is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $137,624. They are classified at grade 13.