U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Social Security Administration / General Attorney

Job-title file

General Attorney

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

3,368 employees hold this title in Social Security Administration. Median total compensation for the role is $122,592, above the department median of $92,904.

Employees: 3,368
Total payroll: $434.3M
Role median: $122,592
Agency median: $92,904
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$195,971+

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

How total compensation varies among the 3,368 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. Social Security Administration pays a median base salary of $122,592 for this role, 23% below that figure — about the 34th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Social Security Administration sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Social Security Administration median · $122,592

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

Computed over the 3,361 of 3,368 people in this role paid at least $25,000in 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 Social Security Administration is $122,592, 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 Social Security Administration, the median of $122,592 ranks #95 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 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 3

Melody Pullen

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Orlando
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122360095
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Melody Pullen serves as a General Attorney based in Orlando, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $86,962. They are classified at grade 12.

Andrew Russell

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Macon
Work county: Bibb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 133390021
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Russell works as a General Attorney for Social Security Administration based in Macon, Georgia. Andrew earned $86,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Gregory Schmitt

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Louisville
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Kentucky

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 212090111
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gregory Schmitt holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2024, their total compensation was $86,962. Their pay grade is 12.

Jacquelin Shaw

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Grand Rapids
Work county: Kent
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 262010081
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jacquelin Shaw holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2024, their total compensation was $86,962. Their pay grade is 12.

Jonathan Smith

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: New Orleans
Work county: Orleans
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 221690071
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jonathan Smith works as a General Attorney for Social Security Administration based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jonathan earned $86,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Eugene Stilianopoulos

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Tampa
Work county: Hillsborough
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122950057
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Eugene Stilianopoulos works as a General Attorney for Social Security Administration based in Tampa, Florida. Eugene earned $86,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Megan Swain

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Kingsport
Work county: Sullivan
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471280163
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Megan Swain holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Kingsport, Tennessee. In 2024, their total compensation was $86,962. Their pay grade is 12.

Sabrina Widman

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Toledo
Work county: Lucas
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 398120095
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Sabrina Widman serves as a General Attorney based in Toledo, Ohio. Their 2024 pay totaled $86,962. They are classified at grade 12.

Joseph Wirth

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Saint Petersburg
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122730103
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joseph Wirth is a General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Saint Petersburg, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $86,962. They are classified at grade 12.

Jerai Green

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Columbia
Work county: Richland
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450520079
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jerai Green is a General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Columbia, South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $86,962. They are classified at grade 12.

Timothy Gates

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,962

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,962
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Salt Lake City
Work county: Salt Lake
Work state: Utah

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 491700035
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Timothy Gates is a General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Salt Lake City, Utah. 2024 total compensation came to $86,962. They are classified at grade 12.

Daniel Brady

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$86,885

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $86,885
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,885
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Cheshire
Work county: Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Work state: Connecticut

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,885
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,309
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 090110140
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Daniel Brady holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Cheshire, Connecticut. In 2024, their total compensation was $86,885. Their pay grade is 09.

Andrew Stephenson

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$85,802

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $85,802
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,802
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Raleigh
Work county: Wake
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,802
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 373750183
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Stephenson holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $85,802. Their pay grade is 11.

Susan Maher

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$85,522

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $85,522
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,522
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,522
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Susan Maher serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $85,522. They are classified at grade 11.

Sharon Primus-Theodore

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$85,522

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $85,522
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,522
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,522
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Sharon Primus-Theodore serves as a General Attorney based in Baltimore, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $85,522. They are classified at grade 11.

Allison Martinez

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$83,671

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $83,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,671
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Houston
Work county: Harris
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $83,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Allison Martinez is a General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Houston, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $83,671. They are classified at grade 11.

Isaac Mcmahan

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$82,764

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $82,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,764
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Isaac Mcmahan holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $82,764. Their pay grade is 11.

Hannah Farber

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$82,764

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $82,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,764
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Hannah Farber serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $82,764. They are classified at grade 11.

Mark Macaluso

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$82,764

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $82,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,764
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mark Macaluso works as a General Attorney for Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. Mark earned $82,764 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Anshea Major

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$82,764

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $82,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,764
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Anshea Major works as a General Attorney for Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Anshea earned $82,764 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Tina Stanczewski

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$82,764

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $82,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,764
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tina Stanczewski works as a General Attorney for Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Tina earned $82,764 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Lauren Bizier

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$81,963

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $81,963
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,963
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Providence
Work county: Providence
Work state: Rhode Island

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,963
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 440190007
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lauren Bizier is a General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Providence, Rhode Island. 2024 total compensation came to $81,963. They are classified at grade 11.

Derek Hora

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$80,994

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $80,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,994
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Evanston
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: 172870031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Derek Hora holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Evanston, Illinois. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,994. Their pay grade is 11.

Monica Lopez

General Attorney/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$78,820

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $78,820
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,820
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Fort Worth
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $78,820
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482450439
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Monica Lopez holds the role of General Attorney at Social Security Administration based in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $78,820. Their pay grade is 11.