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

Lane Murray

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$194,207

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $192,986
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,221
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $194,207
Pay grade: K
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $192,986
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,819
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Lane Murray serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $194,207. They are classified at grade K.

Chia-Mei Liu

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$192,789

Sub-department: Office of Inspector General
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,789
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

Chia-Mei Liu holds the role of Economist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $192,789. Their pay grade is 15.

Jonathan Corning

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$192,056

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $192,056
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,056
Pay grade: J
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $192,056
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,121
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Jonathan Corning works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jonathan earned $192,056 in 2024. Their pay grade is J.

Eloise Trabka

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$192,056

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $192,056
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,056
Pay grade: J
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $192,056
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,121
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Eloise Trabka works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Eloise earned $192,056 in 2024. Their pay grade is J.

Martin Zhu

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$192,056

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $192,056
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $192,056
Pay grade: J
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $192,056
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,121
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Martin Zhu works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Martin earned $192,056 in 2024. Their pay grade is J.

Mary Foreman

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,908

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $191,908
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,908
Pay grade: J
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,908
Basic Pay (before locality): $144,010
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Mary Foreman is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,908. They are classified at grade J.

Thomas O'Connor

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Federal Railroad Administration
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): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas O'Connor works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Thomas earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Reed Garfield

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
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): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Reed Garfield is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Deborah Aiken

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
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): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Transportation, Deborah Aiken serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Sari Gazda

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Cambridge
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250170017
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sari Gazda works as a Economist for Department of Transportation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sari earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Don Pickrell

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Cambridge
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250170017
Length of Service (Years): 41
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Don Pickrell is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Rabinder Bains

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Federal Highway Administration
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): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Transportation, Rabinder Bains serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Brian Dahlin

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrative
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Manassas
Work county: Manassas
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: 511550683
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Dahlin is a Economist at Department of Transportation based in Manassas, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Adiam Woldetensae

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,320

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $191,320
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,320
Pay grade: J
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,320
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,569
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Adiam Woldetensae serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,320. They are classified at grade J.

Gabriela Rohlck

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Pipeline/Hazardous Materials Safety Administrative
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): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Transportation, Gabriela Rohlck serves as a Economist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,289. They are classified at grade 15.

Stephanie Lawrence

Economist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Office of Secretary of Transportation
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): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0110
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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