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

Job-title file

Economist

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

143 employees hold this title in Department of Transportation. Median total compensation for the role is $148,689, above the department median of $137,624.

Employees: 143
Total payroll: $20.6M
Role median: $148,689
Agency median: $137,624
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$53,259$224,212+

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

How total compensation varies among the 143 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 Transportation pays a median base salary of $148,689 for this role, 19% above that figure — about the 62nd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Transportation sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$67,360

$89,330

$124,720

$174,720

$238,060

Department of Transportation median · $148,689

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

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Transportation is $148,689, 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 Transportation, the median of $148,689 ranks #24 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

Federal Trade Commission

$191,900 · 88

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

$191,900 · 3

Department of Justice

$191,900 · 55

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

Benjamin Coomer

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$103,409

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $103,409
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,409
Pay grade: 13
Work city: West Columbia
Work county: Lexington
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $103,409
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 452790063
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Benjamin Coomer holds the role of Economist at Department of Transportation based in West Columbia, South Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $103,409. Their pay grade is 13.

Jennifer Shelby

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$102,506

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $102,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,506
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,506
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennifer Shelby is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $102,506. They are classified at grade 12.

Anna Solow-Collins

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$102,073

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $102,073
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,073
Pay grade: 12
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,073
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 420000101
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Anna Solow-Collins holds the role of Economist at Department of Transportation based in Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $102,073. Their pay grade is 12.

Kendall Mahavier

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$101,514

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $101,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,514
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Cambridge
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $101,514
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250170017
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kendall Mahavier is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $101,514. They are classified at grade 12.

Matthew Keen

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$101,514

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $101,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,514
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Cambridge
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $101,514
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250170017
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Transportation, Matthew Keen serves as a Economist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their 2024 pay totaled $101,514. They are classified at grade 12.

Helen Scharber

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$100,961

Sub-department: Nat Highway Traffic Safety Administrative
Base pay: $100,961
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,961
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Saint Paul
Work county: Ramsey
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $100,961
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 276330123
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Helen Scharber is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 2024 total compensation came to $100,961. They are classified at grade 12.

Elliott Wang

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elliott Wang is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Philip Liang

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Federal Highway Administration
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Transportation, Philip Liang serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Joe Pencak

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Maritime Administration
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joe Pencak works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Joe earned $99,200 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Alesandro Arcuri

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Pipeline/Hazardous Materials Safety Administrative
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alesandro Arcuri works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Alesandro earned $99,200 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Mikidadu Mohammed

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Pipeline/Hazardous Materials Safety Administrative
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Transportation, Mikidadu Mohammed serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Sara Hylton

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrative
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sara Hylton is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Sarah Plotnick

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,240

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $98,240
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,240
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Cambridge
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,240
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250170017
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Plotnick works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sarah earned $98,240 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Thomas Scheinblum

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,979

Sub-department: Maritime Administration
Base pay: $97,979
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,979
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,979
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Scheinblum is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Invalid, Invalid. 2024 total compensation came to $97,979. They are classified at grade 12.

Claire Roycroft

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,079

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $97,079
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,079
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,079
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Claire Roycroft is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $97,079. They are classified at grade 12.

Azza Mansour

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$96,684

Sub-department: Federal Highway Administration
Base pay: $96,684
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,684
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Centennial
Work county: Arapahoe
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,684
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080345005
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Azza Mansour is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Centennial, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $96,684. They are classified at grade 12.