U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / National Science Foundation / Social Science

Job-title file

Social Science

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

63 employees hold this title in National Science Foundation. Median total compensation for the role is $204,000, above the department median of $169,429.

Employees: 63
Total payroll: $11.4M
Role median: $204,000
Agency median: $169,429
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$81,994$216,470+

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

How total compensation varies among the 63 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

Social Science pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — about 37,100 people — is $101,110. National Science Foundation pays a median base salary of $204,000 for this role, 102% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where National Science Foundation sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$66,120

$80,860

$101,110

$129,960

$160,300

National Science Foundation median · $204,000

The bar is the range of annual wages for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows National Science Foundation’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at National Science Foundation is $204,000, 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)

Social Science is held in 35 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In National Science Foundation, the median of $204,000 ranks #2 of 35.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$235,663 · 1

Federal Reserve System

$182,344 · 1

U.S. International Trade Commission

$180,359 · 2

Smithsonian Institution

$176,570 · 11

Social Security Administration

$167,276 · 25

Fed Retirement Thrift Investment Board

$167,276 · 1

Federal Housing Finance Agency

$164,521 · 1

U.S. Agency for International Development

$164,178 · 14

Department of Energy

$163,432 · 6

Peace Corps

$163,401 · 1

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

$162,629 · 7

National Transportation Safety Board

$158,995 · 2

Median total compensation for the Social Science role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 2

Laura Lunsford

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$174,987

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $174,987
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,987
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Raleigh
Work county: Wake
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,987
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,550
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 373750183
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

At National Science Foundation, Laura Lunsford serves as a Social Science based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,987. They are classified at grade 04.

Naomi Hall-Byers

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$174,966

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $174,516
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $450
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,966
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,516
Basic Pay (before locality): $130,959
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

At National Science Foundation, Naomi Hall-Byers serves as a Social Science based in Alexandria, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $174,966. They are classified at grade 04.

Kroff Valdes

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$173,555

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $171,555
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,555
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,555
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Kroff Valdes is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $173,555. They are classified at grade 04.

Leher Singh

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$173,221

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $172,821
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,221
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,821
Basic Pay (before locality): $129,687
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Leher Singh is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $173,221. They are classified at grade 04.

Elise Lipkowitz

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$171,316

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $171,316
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,316
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $171,316
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,558
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Elise Lipkowitz holds the role of Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $171,316. Their pay grade is 03.

Shawna Cox

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$169,431

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $169,431
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $169,431
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $169,431
Basic Pay (before locality): $127,143
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Shawna Cox is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $169,431. They are classified at grade 04.

Matthew Rhodes

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$161,115

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $161,115
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $161,115
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Galena
Work county: Delaware
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $161,115
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,278
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 392790041
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

At National Science Foundation, Matthew Rhodes serves as a Social Science based in Galena, Ohio. Their 2024 pay totaled $161,115. They are classified at grade 04.

Jeremy Koster

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$160,170

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $158,170
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $160,170
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Lower Burrell
Work county: Westmoreland
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,170
Basic Pay (before locality): $130,957
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 424603129
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Jeremy Koster works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Jeremy earned $160,170 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Melanie Hughes

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$159,916

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $159,916
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,916
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Pittsburgh
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,916
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,916
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426600003
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): EE

Melanie Hughes works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Melanie earned $159,916 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Georgia Kosmopoulou

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$159,916

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $159,916
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,916
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,916
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,916
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): EE

At National Science Foundation, Georgia Kosmopoulou serves as a Social Science based in Alexandria, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $159,916. They are classified at grade 00.

Ian Mcclure

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$159,916

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $159,916
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,916
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Prospect
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Kentucky

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,916
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,916
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 212694111
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): EE

Ian Mcclure works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in Prospect, Kentucky. Ian earned $159,916 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Mihaela Robila

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$159,916

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $159,916
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,916
Pay grade: 00
Work city: New York - Queens
Work county: Queens
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,916
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,916
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170081
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): EE

Mihaela Robila works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in New York - Queens, New York. Mihaela earned $159,916 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Michael Steele

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$159,916

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $159,916
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,916
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Zionsville
Work county: Boone
Work state: Indiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,916
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,916
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 185490011
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): EE

Michael Steele is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Zionsville, Indiana. 2024 total compensation came to $159,916. They are classified at grade 00.

Kimberly Zarecor

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$159,916

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $159,916
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,916
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Ames
Work county: Story
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,916
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,916
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 190230169
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): EE

Kimberly Zarecor works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in Ames, Iowa. Kimberly earned $159,916 in 2024. Their pay grade is 00.

Nahla Hilmi

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$136,112

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $136,112
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,112
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $136,112
Basic Pay (before locality): $102,140
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

At National Science Foundation, Nahla Hilmi serves as a Social Science based in Alexandria, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $136,112. They are classified at grade 02.

Steven Deitz

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$135,692

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $133,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,692
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,692
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Steven Deitz holds the role of Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,692. Their pay grade is 13.

Childree Zannino

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$135,182

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $135,182
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,182
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Ashland
Work county: Hanover
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,182
Basic Pay (before locality): $110,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510110085
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Childree Zannino works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in Ashland, Virginia. Childree earned $135,182 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Erin Mckenna

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$123,894

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $121,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $123,894
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $121,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Erin Mckenna is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $123,894. They are classified at grade 13.

Mauricia Barnett

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$107,968

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $107,068
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $900
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,968
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Mansfield
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,068
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 484300439
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mauricia Barnett is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Mansfield, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $107,968. They are classified at grade 12.

Benjamin Schneider

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Benjamin Schneider is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Chloe Mcpherson

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$96,450

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $96,450
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,450
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,450
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,377
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Chloe Mcpherson holds the role of Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $96,450. Their pay grade is 02.

Jessica Willmore

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$82,922

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $81,922
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,922
Pay grade: 01
Work city: Alexandria
Work county: Alexandria
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,922
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,475
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510040510
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

Jessica Willmore works as a Social Science for National Science Foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia. Jessica earned $82,922 in 2024. Their pay grade is 01.

David Ogden

Social Science/National Science Foundation

2024 total comp

$81,994

Sub-department: National Science Foundation
Base pay: $80,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,994
Pay grade: 01
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,994
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0101
Pay Plan (OPM): AD

David Ogden is a Social Science at National Science Foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $81,994. They are classified at grade 01.