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

Job-title file

General Attorney

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

325 employees hold this title in Department of State. Median total compensation for the role is $191,900, above the department median of $133,692.

Employees: 325
Total payroll: $60.7M
Role median: $191,900
Agency median: $133,692
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$115,731$221,900+

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

How total compensation varies among the 325 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 State pays a median base salary of $191,900 for this role, 20% above that figure — about the 63rd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of State sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of State median · $191,900

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

Median total compensation for this role at Department of State is $191,900, 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 State, the median of $191,900 ranks #9 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

Dfc

$191,900 · 78

Federal Communications Commission

$191,900 · 627

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 Attorneyroles 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

Thomas Heinemann

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$188,821

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $188,821
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $188,821
Pay grade: 15
Work county: Santa Fe
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $188,821
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350000049
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Heinemann holds the role of General Attorney at Department of State based in New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $188,821. Their pay grade is 15.

Elizabeth Amory

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$186,854

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $186,854
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,854
Pay grade: 15
Work county: Charleston
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $186,854
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450000019
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Amory holds the role of General Attorney at Department of State based in South Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $186,854. Their pay grade is 15.

Evangeline Howard

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$186,324

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,324
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Evangeline Howard serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $186,324. They are classified at grade 15.

Melinda Kuritzky

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Melinda Kuritzky serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Ian Catlett

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ian Catlett is a General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Lilia Lopez

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Lilia Lopez serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Heather Olowski

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Heather Olowski serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Maria Rosales

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Maria Rosales works as a General Attorney for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Maria earned $185,824 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Meghan Zimman

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Meghan Zimman serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Priya Bhanu

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Priya Bhanu is a General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Ellen Eiseman

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ellen Eiseman holds the role of General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $185,824. Their pay grade is 15.

Carol Farrand

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Carol Farrand serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Jane Farrington

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Jane Farrington serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Janine Gannon

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Janine Gannon is a General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Brian Kelly

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Brian Kelly serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Colleen Lunsford

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Colleen Lunsford holds the role of General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $185,824. Their pay grade is 15.

Dara Morenoff

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Dara Morenoff is a General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Yannick Morgan

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Yannick Morgan holds the role of General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $185,824. Their pay grade is 15.

Robert Nightingale

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Robert Nightingale serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Karthik Reddy

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karthik Reddy holds the role of General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $185,824. Their pay grade is 15.

Carine Rosalia

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carine Rosalia works as a General Attorney for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Carine earned $185,824 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Lisa Vogel

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of State, Lisa Vogel serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Thomas Weatherall

General Attorney/Department of State

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Department of State
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Weatherall is a General Attorney at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.