Last Updated on 01/05/2022
There are a number of reasons why one would look for career opportunities in the governmental sector instead of the private business sector.
Federal government jobs mean stability, perfect work-life balance, decent working conditions, and a generous retirement package for many applicants.
The best federal government jobs in the USA complement this list of benefits with high payment rates and great career prospects.
Of course, not all of the federal jobs will turn out to be a good choice in terms of salary and employee benefits. If you are aiming at a federal government position, we recommend looking through the lists of federal government jobs as of today.
You might be surprised by how many interesting and lucrative job titles you will find. If you possess the necessary education and skills, your choice of the best-paying government jobs will substantially widen.
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Top Government Jobs
Here, we have gathered six positions, which have been featured in the latest reports about the best jobs in the federal government.
We estimated the average base salary per year for the careers with a high level of satisfaction and the highest-paying federal positions, taken from Glassdoor data, presented as of June 2021.
The income in this listing of top government jobs may vary depending on several aspects, like experience and professional skills, level of education, company size, and location.
Customs Inspector
Average Base US salary: $74,872 per year
The need for the customs inspectors is constantly rising at the Department of Homeland Security. If you desire to work in this field, the US Customs and Border Protection agency can offer a special internship program.
Those who possess law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, increase their chance of getting the job and being paid a higher salary. This position gives access to the employee benefits package, which will be appreciated by those who get this job, as well as by their families.
Nurse
Average Base US salary: $84,620 per year
Today, the growth rates for the registered nurse position are much higher than those for practically all other occupations.
The federal government nursing jobs are most needed at the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The requirements for this position would most commonly include an approved nursing program diploma, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
By 2030, nearly one in five Americans will be age 65 and older. As the US population ages increasingly, Americans will have health problems and functional disability, and require extra care. That means that most of leaving will fall to family members. Now, women make up 60% of caregivers.
Budget Analyst
Average Base US salary: $75,231 per year
The recent lists of top federal jobs continuously include the budget analyst position, which is most commonly needed at the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of the Air Force.
A bachelor’s degree is a typical education requirement for this position. Additional educational or work experience in finance and statistics will be a great advantage for the applicant. You can also make use of the internship programs offered by the Congressional Budget Office.
Human Resources Manager
Average Base US salary: $78,708 per year
Having a fast growth rate, this position is most needed at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of the Interior.
Apart from having a bachelor’s degree or, in some cases, a master’s degree, as well as relevant work experience, this position will require the candidate to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, which are highly important for this job.
Auditor
Average Base US salary: $75,063 per year
Restrictions on law and tax regulations make auditing a growing field (+10% by 2026). Every government sector needs an auditor to organize, maintain, and review financial records, prepare tax returns, make tax payments, and suggest cost-saving operations on behalf of the organization. The demand constantly rises for audits relating to international trade, mergers, and acquisitions.
Aspiring auditors certified as Public Accountants (CPA) have the best prospects. Owners of a Master’s Degree in accounting or business administration will have an advantage. Credentials, training in a definite area of expertise, and a thorough understanding of laws, regulations, financial reporting standards are viewed as desirable qualifications.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Average Base US salary: $126,213 per year
U.S. military medical and nursing research facilities, mobile surgery and outpatient care centers, offices of many medical professionals are in constant need of CRNAs. States with the highest employment level include Florida, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and Michigan. Metropolitan areas tend to pay higher salaries to CRNAs.
Consider that currently, a Master’s degree focusing on anesthesia and national certification is enough to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. The state of things will change in 2025 when a doctoral degree will be required to enter the field.
Highest Paying Government Jobs
Many candidates are sure that working for the government never comes with a great paycheck. This is a common misconception. The government provides better opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Federals offer the same good-paying government jobs for professionals with college degrees and high qualifications as the private sector does. On average, a government employee annually earns $63,659 a year, as of June 2021. But agencies regularly post more lucrative positions that are worth checking.
Looking through a list of government jobs and salaries, you’ll find out that government jobs that pay well can be typically found within STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields.
The best jobs in the federal government are billed in the executive branches of government. For instance, the California governor earns $202,000 four-star generals make $268,000, and the president of the United States makes $400,000 per year.
Dr. Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Chief Medical Advisor to the President, is the highest-paid public employee in the entire federal government. In 2020 the nation’s premier expert earned $434,000.
If you are a far cry from executive roles, your experience in a certain area, such as Healthcare or Legacy, can bring you many good government jobs with higher pay than the national average. For instance, the U.S. Government Associate General Counsel earns $146,361 per year, and the annual salary for an experienced Attorney is $124,742 per year.
Let’s reveal what 6 high-paying federal jobs can turn civil service into a trip to the bank.
Physician
Average Base US salary: $208,347 per year
The career of a government physician provides good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future because of the pandemic, elderly population growth, availability of medical insurance, and increased needs for medical research. Public service needs family practitioners, internists, geriatricians, preventative care specialists, and pediatricians.
Though in 2020, experts predicted severe physician shortages for Western and Southern states by 2030, the New York University School of Medicine announced that it would eliminate tuition to encourage people to pursue medical careers. New technologies could allow physicians to provide new services and jobs, increasing long-term demand. The odds for employment of doctoral degree holders to enter the practice will be higher in inner cities and rural areas than in large cities.
Computer Scientist
Average Base US salary: $136,980 per year
The growth rates for this position are much higher than average, which makes it one of the best federal jobs you can choose. At the moment, the need for computer scientists is highest at the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Navy.
Federal government requirements for this job most often include a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences; in some cases, an associate’s degree might be sufficient. The career prospects for computer scientists are great since the demand for experienced and skilled workers in this field is very high.
More than a third of the US employees today are Millennials (ages 18 to 36), making them the largest generation in the USA labor force.
Attorney
Average Base US salary: $144,092 per year
Attorneys working in the federal government sector can expect very good career prospects and a decent salary. However, the candidates should take into account relatively high competition in this field expected in the next decade.
The biggest number of attorney vacancies is offered by the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. In terms of the education requirements, the applicants need to possess a doctoral degree in Law.
Mathematician
Average Base US salary: $92,754 per year
Mathematicians and statisticians are greatly needed in government to develop breakthroughs in different fields or to solve practical problems in disciplines like science, healthcare, and engineering. The largest federal government employers are the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force followed by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture.
Advanced mathematic skills and a doctorate in mathematics is usually the minimum requirement for positions in the field, but some entry-level positions with the Federal Government only require a bachelor’s degree for consideration.
Mechanical Engineer
Average Base US salary: $118,096 per year
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and National Aeronautics and Space Administration hold the largest percentage of the employed Mechanical Engineers. But many federal agencies can offer a wider variety of positions to civil, aerospace, computer, and electrical engineers.
A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology and strong engineering skills are critical for working in the Federal Government. Job prospects will be better for individuals who stay abreast of the most recent advances in technology.
Which government job would you like to work for? Do you have your doubts about Applying for a Federal Government Position? Most federal jobs are in competitive service.
All good federal jobs require an academic or professional degree, technical training, or coursework in a particular area of study for entry into the desired occupation.
If you dare to take those odds of public service, high starting salaries, professional development assistance, room for growth, and all benefits of government jobs will be the reward. Don’t hesitate, there are a lot of entry-level federal government jobs. Do your research and you’re bound to find a dream job in the US government.
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Daniella HendersonDaniella knows all ins and outs of the federal hiring process. She is excellent at job hunting strategies, starting from federal resume writing to the final stage of interview conduction.