Career change to government jobs

Federal, state and local governments employ 22.7 million people, about 15% of U.S. jobs. Their median pay is $63,390, against $48,990 in private companies (BLS, May 2025). Below are the 204 careers with at least 10,000 government jobs, with government and private pay side by side.

Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 (by ownership) and O*NET 31.0 · How we match careers

Government jobs: 22.7 million
Federal · State · Local: 2.8 · 4.8 · 15.1 M
Median pay, government: $63,390
Median pay, private: $48,990

Careers with the most government jobs

204 careers with at least 10,000 jobs in federal, state or local government, most jobs first.

Careers with the most government jobs
#	Career	Government jobs	Share in government	Median pay, government	Median pay, private	Difference
1	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	1,223,170	88%	$65,310	$58,110	+12%
2	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	910,670	86%	$74,220	$61,760	+20%
3	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	663,800	99%	$76,300	$59,390	+28%
4	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	548,550	89%	$65,300	$60,180	+9%
5	Registered Nurses	537,990	16%	$100,490	$97,170	+3%
6	Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	502,420	23%	$39,640	$36,380	+9%
7	Office Clerks, General	496,390	20%	$46,170	$44,820	+3%
8	Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	455,660	27%	$48,290	$47,180	+2%
9	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	382,870	73%	$43,690	$37,850	+15%
10	Correctional Officers and Jailers	363,330	96%	$59,490	$48,020	+24%
11	Postal Service Mail Carriers	328,820	—	$60,550	—	—
12	Firefighters	323,560	94%	$60,050	$38,330	+57%
13	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	281,530	18%	$51,030	$49,270	+4%
14	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	244,480	69%	$72,230	$57,930	+25%
15	Bus Drivers, School	240,010	60%	$46,500	$49,480	−6%
16	Child, Family, and School Social Workers	218,280	56%	$65,660	$50,990	+29%
17	Management Analysts	195,110	22%	$96,570	$102,940	−6%
18	Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	176,450	98%	$48,880	$35,190	+39%
19	Lawyers	163,430	22%	$134,680	$166,280	−19%
20	Compliance Officers	157,430	38%	$80,810	$80,700	0%
21	Accountants and Auditors	154,230	11%	$81,390	$84,090	−3%
22	Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	148,930	34%	$36,180	$38,050	−5%
23	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	148,800	11%	$51,710	$50,530	+2%
24	Highway Maintenance Workers	148,700	96%	$50,450	$46,340	+9%
25	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	147,720	90%	$75,490	$62,190	+21%

Show the other 179 careers

Careers with the most government jobs (continued)
#	Career	Government jobs	Share in government	Median pay, government	Median pay, private	Difference
26	Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	143,120	93%	$55,330	$47,570	+16%
27	Instructional Coordinators	140,990	62%	$80,020	$69,290	+15%
28	Fast Food and Counter Workers	134,510	4%	$35,890	$31,200	+15%
29	Nursing Assistants	131,120	9%	$45,260	$41,790	+8%
30	Recreation Workers	128,620	39%	$36,630	$36,520	0%
31	Human Resources Specialists	127,770	14%	$80,330	$75,140	+7%
32	Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	123,540	56%	$102,890	$127,720	−19%
33	Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	119,580	73%	$46,740	$37,270	+25%
34	Security Guards	119,410	9%	$44,700	$37,720	+19%
35	Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	115,390	12%	$40,080	$39,030	+3%
36	Detectives and Criminal Investigators	114,300	100%	$93,790	$83,130	+13%
37	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	113,130	25%	$70,380	$77,970	−10%
38	Computer User Support Specialists	112,230	16%	$63,190	$61,620	+3%
39	Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	107,930	81%	$69,680	$64,250	+8%
40	Childcare Workers	107,550	21%	$37,330	$34,270	+9%
41	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	107,400	96%	$66,410	$60,770	+9%
42	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	105,200	—	$58,470	—	—
43	Social and Human Service Assistants	100,420	23%	$49,920	$45,110	+11%
44	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	96,730	75%	$60,450	$58,630	+3%
45	Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	96,090	60%	$64,640	$50,270	+29%
46	Customer Service Representatives	94,210	4%	$45,860	$44,730	+3%
47	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	93,030	86%	$63,890	$51,320	+24%
48	Public Safety Telecommunicators	89,940	88%	$54,440	$47,820	+14%
49	Special Education Teachers, Middle School	89,410	94%	$67,750	$61,460	+10%
50	Civil Engineers	86,990	24%	$108,820	$99,330	+10%
51	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	86,760	97%	$67,120	$47,170	+42%
52	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	82,890	17%	$52,750	$60,620	−13%
53	Speech-Language Pathologists	78,120	43%	$85,000	$101,250	−16%
54	Postal Service Clerks	73,720	—	$62,130	—	—
55	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	73,660	11%	$63,390	$64,470	−2%
56	Library Assistants, Clerical	73,390	86%	$37,270	$35,050	+6%
57	Coaches and Scouts	71,630	29%	$49,540	$46,580	+6%
58	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	63,060	13%	$60,040	$37,300	+61%
59	Construction and Building Inspectors	62,350	43%	$74,930	$74,620	0%
60	Computer Systems Analysts	61,440	12%	$99,990	$107,360	−7%
61	Tutors	61,080	35%	$45,480	$43,000	+6%
62	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	60,940	39%	$34,580	$32,890	+5%
63	Library Technicians	60,210	88%	$43,750	$47,800	−8%
64	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	59,830	19%	$90,660	$76,210	+19%
65	Project Management Specialists	59,180	6%	$87,670	$102,790	−15%
66	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	58,450	51%	$65,600	$61,270	+7%
67	Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	58,370	6%	$47,200	$45,850	+3%
68	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	56,610	—	$62,370	—	—
69	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	56,190	18%	$91,100	$100,270	−9%
70	School Psychologists	53,830	84%	$95,460	$98,710	−3%
71	Public Relations Specialists	52,820	19%	$78,310	$73,800	+6%
72	Amusement and Recreation Attendants	52,410	13%	$33,460	$31,740	+5%
73	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	49,990	53%	$77,580	$79,870	−3%
74	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	48,570	12%	$67,480	$62,440	+8%
75	Training and Development Specialists	46,760	10%	$74,940	$68,090	+10%
76	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	46,630	57%	$101,760	$95,920	+6%
77	Transportation Security Screeners	46,020	92%	$67,200	$42,650	+58%
78	Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	44,570	30%	$47,020	$51,090	−8%
79	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	44,490	50%	$82,730	$81,400	+2%
80	Paramedics	43,460	43%	$61,780	$60,120	+3%
81	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	43,040	15%	$65,270	$61,370	+6%
82	English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	42,620	74%	$78,360	$79,230	−1%
83	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	41,010	53%	$80,370	$80,060	0%
84	Crossing Guards and Flaggers	40,740	43%	$38,100	$38,090	0%
85	Food Preparation Workers	40,290	5%	$37,170	$35,250	+5%
86	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	39,490	1%	$41,600	$40,230	+3%
87	Urban and Regional Planners	38,460	87%	$87,900	$98,980	−11%
88	Logisticians	37,680	15%	$101,900	$80,100	+27%
89	Medical Assistants	37,600	5%	$47,110	$45,640	+3%
90	Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	36,920	77%	$79,760	$80,320	−1%
91	School Bus Monitors	36,570	47%	$34,440	$35,520	−3%
92	Education Teachers, Postsecondary	35,960	59%	$77,490	$66,660	+16%
93	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	35,220	7%	$35,600	$33,660	+6%
94	Construction Laborers	34,660	3%	$47,020	$47,130	0%
95	Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	33,440	67%	$84,790	$83,930	+1%
96	Cashiers	32,900	1%	$36,130	$32,790	+10%
97	Electricians	32,190	4%	$77,330	$62,720	+23%
98	Software Developers	31,380	2%	$107,880	$136,480	−21%
99	Receptionists and Information Clerks	30,280	3%	$37,470	$38,020	−1%
100	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	29,770	4%	$62,380	$49,750	+25%
101	Occupational Therapists	29,560	18%	$97,500	$100,760	−3%
102	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	29,180	13%	$81,770	$79,880	+2%
103	Budget Analysts	29,020	62%	$91,170	$93,010	−2%
104	Word Processors and Typists	28,800	82%	$49,280	$44,600	+10%
105	Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	28,430	3%	$36,650	$35,470	+3%
106	Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	28,310	41%	$67,040	$63,240	+6%
107	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	28,250	7%	$67,960	$59,020	+15%
108	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	28,150	20%	$88,610	$90,620	−2%
109	Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	28,130	70%	$110,190	$105,800	+4%
110	Forest and Conservation Technicians	28,090	92%	$54,910	$51,540	+7%
111	Pharmacists	27,560	9%	$156,400	$139,850	+12%
112	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	27,180	1%	$63,230	$58,610	+8%
113	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	27,110	73%	$63,010	$52,620	+20%
114	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	26,650	20%	$73,340	$58,420	+26%
115	Stockers and Order Fillers	26,460	1%	$48,420	$37,310	+30%
116	Pharmacy Technicians	25,460	5%	$57,550	$45,410	+27%
117	Psychiatric Technicians	24,890	16%	$50,750	$44,510	+14%
118	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	24,860	14%	$82,040	$105,210	−22%
119	Health Education Specialists	24,730	38%	$65,500	$62,830	+4%
120	Computer Network Support Specialists	24,240	17%	$72,590	$76,660	−5%
121	Self-Enrichment Teachers	24,210	7%	$52,710	$46,550	+13%
122	Healthcare Social Workers	24,060	13%	$73,200	$67,130	+9%
123	Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	24,030	—	$153,990	—	—
124	Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	23,810	67%	$97,640	$94,540	+3%
125	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	22,970	5%	$70,250	$63,530	+11%
126	Nurse Practitioners	22,930	7%	$134,420	$132,140	+2%
127	Gambling Dealers	22,910	27%	$35,840	$32,240	+11%
128	Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	22,730	55%	$84,250	$78,030	+8%
129	Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	22,270	14%	$60,570	$57,830	+5%
130	Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	22,030	24%	$55,330	$49,390	+12%
131	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	21,970	5%	$69,730	$60,720	+15%
132	Medical Records Specialists	21,740	11%	$60,800	$50,230	+21%
133	Billing and Posting Clerks	21,530	5%	$49,110	$48,470	+1%
134	File Clerks	21,200	29%	$47,570	$41,710	+14%
135	Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	21,200	14%	$46,930	$45,850	+2%
136	Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	21,090	72%	$78,950	$78,150	+1%
137	Physical Therapists	20,860	8%	$106,020	$102,500	+3%
138	Air Traffic Controllers	20,740	92%	$155,040	$85,340	+82%
139	Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	20,720	13%	$56,170	$55,210	+2%
140	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	20,390	18%	$73,750	$79,010	−7%
141	Rehabilitation Counselors	20,120	21%	$64,170	$45,050	+42%
142	Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	19,470	2%	$53,600	$45,140	+19%
143	Operations Research Analysts	19,350	18%	$86,630	$90,200	−4%
144	Biological Technicians	18,750	27%	$51,820	$59,410	−13%
145	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	18,420	2%	$69,740	$78,910	−12%
146	Special Education Teachers, Preschool	18,340	62%	$68,840	$58,070	+19%
147	Conservation Scientists	18,320	71%	$73,920	$71,460	+3%
148	Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	18,200	7%	$39,760	$37,190	+7%
149	Forensic Science Technicians	17,980	94%	$73,540	$60,210	+22%
150	Psychiatric Aides	17,520	49%	$47,050	$42,950	+10%
151	Community Health Workers	17,490	28%	$56,510	$50,730	+11%
152	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	17,320	5%	$47,890	$47,150	+2%
153	Bailiffs	17,200	—	$56,500	—	—
154	Respiratory Therapists	16,900	12%	$81,530	$82,450	−1%
155	Mechanical Engineers	16,490	6%	$117,830	$103,600	+14%
156	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School	16,300	97%	$65,420	$55,830	+17%
157	Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	16,290	—	$117,860	$66,530	+77%
158	Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	15,940	8%	$55,080	$50,070	+10%
159	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	15,450	9%	$67,710	$65,200	+4%
160	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	15,190	12%	$92,150	$95,560	−4%
161	Computer Programmers	15,130	16%	$97,860	$100,810	−3%
162	Interpreters and Translators	15,060	29%	$62,180	$58,490	+6%
163	Waiters and Waitresses	14,510	1%	$35,230	$35,230	0%
164	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	14,390	15%	$134,580	$129,610	+4%
165	Retail Salespersons	14,300	0%	$36,400	$35,410	+3%
166	Procurement Clerks	14,270	26%	$54,990	$49,200	+12%
167	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	14,090	15%	$86,400	$75,880	+14%
168	Dietitians and Nutritionists	13,900	18%	$76,650	$76,380	0%
169	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	13,470	10%	$75,590	$80,640	−6%
170	Data Entry Keyers	13,470	11%	$45,720	$40,770	+12%
171	Carpenters	13,390	2%	$64,330	$60,530	+6%
172	Computer and Information Research Scientists	13,340	36%	$118,100	$164,500	−28%
173	Judicial Law Clerks	13,270	—	$64,920	—	—
174	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	13,060	65%	$97,590	$81,530	+20%
175	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	12,960	3%	$73,320	$64,370	+14%
176	Physician Assistants	12,940	8%	$139,830	$135,600	+3%
177	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	12,530	19%	$77,440	$73,010	+6%
178	History Teachers, Postsecondary	12,520	67%	$84,180	$82,920	+2%
179	Environmental Engineers	12,460	33%	$107,020	$107,340	0%
180	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	12,400	68%	$78,500	$71,630	+10%
181	Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	12,310	62%	$79,670	$79,070	+1%
182	Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	12,270	9%	$59,510	$61,330	−3%
183	Financial Examiners	11,990	18%	$106,440	$90,000	+18%
184	Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	11,980	4%	$37,020	$35,280	+5%
185	Light Truck Drivers	11,960	1%	$51,900	$44,830	+16%
186	Data Scientists	11,800	5%	$93,190	$122,580	−24%
187	Residential Advisors	11,750	14%	$43,420	$42,130	+3%
188	Surgical Technologists	11,750	10%	$63,270	$64,800	−2%
189	Fire Inspectors and Investigators	11,630	84%	$76,670	$68,740	+12%
190	Chemists	11,470	14%	$103,080	$88,430	+17%
191	Fundraisers	11,470	10%	$78,590	$71,850	+9%
192	Painters, Construction and Maintenance	11,380	5%	$67,410	$49,110	+37%
193	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	11,360	33%	$61,850	$51,190	+21%
194	Social Science Research Assistants	11,340	37%	$59,820	$63,080	−5%
195	Database Administrators	11,240	16%	$96,950	$106,920	−9%
196	Transportation Inspectors	11,230	46%	$93,420	$77,450	+21%
197	Animal Control Workers	11,170	93%	$45,620	$46,770	−2%
198	Law Teachers, Postsecondary	10,970	55%	$119,560	$130,110	−8%
199	Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	10,930	39%	$81,760	$77,280	+6%
200	Electrical Engineers	10,880	6%	$125,830	$120,070	+5%
201	Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	10,470	80%	$77,270	$74,440	+4%
202	Aerospace Engineers	10,140	15%	$140,670	$134,240	+5%
203	Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	10,030	13%	$108,600	$99,160	+10%
204	Cooks, Restaurant	10,010	1%	$43,020	$37,370	+15%

Government includes public schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service. Supervisor and manager jobs are left out because they are usually filled by promotion. Methodology

Where government pays at least 10% more

79 careers where the government median is at least 10% above the private median (both with at least 5,000 jobs). Biggest difference first.

Careers where government pays at least 10% more than private employers
#	Career	Median pay, government	Median pay, private	Difference	Government jobs
1	Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	$72,030	$35,750	+101%	6,720
2	Real Estate Sales Agents	$88,790	$51,270	+73%	6,940
3	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	$60,040	$37,300	+61%	63,060
4	Firefighters	$60,050	$38,330	+57%	323,560
5	Rehabilitation Counselors	$64,170	$45,050	+42%	20,120
6	Marriage and Family Therapists	$92,150	$66,540	+38%	5,570
7	Painters, Construction and Maintenance	$67,410	$49,110	+37%	11,380
8	Recreational Therapists	$76,620	$58,290	+31%	5,700
9	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$63,130	$48,490	+30%	5,740
10	Stockers and Order Fillers	$48,420	$37,310	+30%	26,460
11	Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	$64,640	$50,270	+29%	96,090
12	Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$65,660	$50,990	+29%	218,280
13	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$76,300	$59,390	+28%	663,800
14	Logisticians	$101,900	$80,100	+27%	37,680
15	Pharmacy Technicians	$57,550	$45,410	+27%	25,460

Show the other 64 careers

Careers where government pays at least 10% more than private employers (continued)
#	Career	Median pay, government	Median pay, private	Difference	Government jobs
16	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$73,340	$58,420	+26%	26,650
17	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	$62,380	$49,750	+25%	29,770
18	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$72,230	$57,930	+25%	244,480
19	Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	$46,740	$37,270	+25%	119,580
20	Correctional Officers and Jailers	$59,490	$48,020	+24%	363,330
21	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	$63,890	$51,320	+24%	93,030
22	Electricians	$77,330	$62,720	+23%	32,190
23	Surveying and Mapping Technicians	$61,890	$50,920	+22%	7,790
24	Agricultural Inspectors	$55,490	$45,700	+21%	8,730
25	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	$61,850	$51,190	+21%	11,360
26	Medical Records Specialists	$60,800	$50,230	+21%	21,740
27	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	$75,490	$62,190	+21%	147,720
28	Transportation Inspectors	$93,420	$77,450	+21%	11,230
29	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	$63,010	$52,620	+20%	27,110
30	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$97,590	$81,530	+20%	13,060
31	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$74,220	$61,760	+20%	910,670
32	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	$90,660	$76,210	+19%	59,830
33	Security Guards	$44,700	$37,720	+19%	119,410
34	Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	$53,600	$45,140	+19%	19,470
35	Special Education Teachers, Preschool	$68,840	$58,070	+19%	18,340
36	Financial Examiners	$106,440	$90,000	+18%	11,990
37	Chemists	$103,080	$88,430	+17%	11,470
38	Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	$45,130	$38,640	+17%	6,870
39	Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$77,490	$66,660	+16%	35,960
40	Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	$55,330	$47,570	+16%	143,120
41	Light Truck Drivers	$51,900	$44,830	+16%	11,960
42	Sheet Metal Workers	$70,640	$61,100	+16%	6,060
43	Animal Caretakers	$40,460	$35,220	+15%	9,950
44	Chefs and Head Cooks	$71,780	$62,260	+15%	5,500
45	Cooks, Restaurant	$43,020	$37,370	+15%	10,010
46	Fast Food and Counter Workers	$35,890	$31,200	+15%	134,510
47	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	$69,730	$60,720	+15%	21,970
48	Instructional Coordinators	$80,020	$69,290	+15%	140,990
49	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	$67,960	$59,020	+15%	28,250
50	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	$43,690	$37,850	+15%	382,870
51	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$86,400	$75,880	+14%	14,090
52	File Clerks	$47,570	$41,710	+14%	21,200
53	Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	$44,760	$39,320	+14%	5,810
54	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$73,320	$64,370	+14%	12,960
55	Mechanical Engineers	$117,830	$103,600	+14%	16,490
56	Psychiatric Technicians	$50,750	$44,510	+14%	24,890
57	Public Safety Telecommunicators	$54,440	$47,820	+14%	89,940
58	Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	$55,860	$48,840	+14%	6,670
59	Bill and Account Collectors	$52,920	$46,800	+13%	8,060
60	Self-Enrichment Teachers	$52,710	$46,550	+13%	24,210
61	Data Entry Keyers	$45,720	$40,770	+12%	13,470
62	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	$65,310	$58,110	+12%	1,223,170
63	Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	$55,330	$49,390	+12%	22,030
64	Pharmacists	$156,400	$139,850	+12%	27,560
65	Procurement Clerks	$54,990	$49,200	+12%	14,270
66	Community Health Workers	$56,510	$50,730	+11%	17,490
67	Gambling Dealers	$35,840	$32,240	+11%	22,910
68	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$70,250	$63,530	+11%	22,970
69	Social and Human Service Assistants	$49,920	$45,110	+11%	100,420
70	Cashiers	$36,130	$32,790	+10%	32,900
71	Civil Engineers	$108,820	$99,330	+10%	86,990
72	Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$108,600	$99,160	+10%	10,030
73	Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	$55,080	$50,070	+10%	15,940
74	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	$38,440	$34,810	+10%	6,270
75	Psychiatric Aides	$47,050	$42,950	+10%	17,520
76	Special Education Teachers, Middle School	$67,750	$61,460	+10%	89,410
77	Training and Development Specialists	$74,940	$68,090	+10%	46,760
78	Word Processors and Typists	$49,280	$44,600	+10%	28,800
79	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$78,500	$71,630	+10%	12,400

Biggest federal careers

60 careers with at least 5,000 federal jobs. Federal jobs are listed on USAJOBS.gov.

Careers with the most federal jobs
#	Career	Federal jobs	Median pay, federal	Median pay, private
1	Postal Service Mail Carriers	328,820	$60,550	—
2	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	105,200	$58,470	—
3	Registered Nurses	101,140	$121,240	$97,170
4	Management Analysts	76,910	$115,920	$102,940
5	Postal Service Clerks	73,720	$62,130	—
6	Compliance Officers	68,250	$105,500	$80,700
7	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	46,740	$93,660	$76,210
8	Transportation Security Screeners	45,490	$67,200	$42,650
9	Detectives and Criminal Investigators	41,630	$118,390	$83,130
10	Office Clerks, General	40,510	$55,830	$44,820
11	Lawyers	40,500	$178,380	$166,280
12	Human Resources Specialists	38,910	$108,080	$75,140
13	Logisticians	34,620	$103,790	$80,100
14	Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	31,190	$59,610	$47,570
15	Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	26,220	$51,500	$36,380

Show the other 45 careers

Careers with the most federal jobs (continued)
#	Career	Federal jobs	Median pay, federal	Median pay, private
16	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	25,930	$64,600	—
17	Accountants and Auditors	22,370	$120,520	$84,090
18	Air Traffic Controllers	20,530	$156,250	$85,340
19	Forest and Conservation Technicians	20,220	$57,100	$51,540
20	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	17,160	$71,470	$49,270
21	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	17,050	$73,550	$64,470
22	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	16,020	$81,470	$62,440
23	Nursing Assistants	14,560	$54,080	$41,790
24	Correctional Officers and Jailers	14,180	$74,630	$48,020
25	Mechanical Engineers	13,890	$120,350	$103,600
26	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	13,440	$135,890	$129,610
27	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	12,240	$76,210	$80,640
28	Budget Analysts	12,180	$103,380	$93,010
29	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	11,950	$55,450	$50,530
30	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	11,870	$75,250	$59,390
31	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	11,670	$73,420	$59,020
32	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	11,240	$89,970	$75,880
33	Computer and Information Research Scientists	11,030	$124,870	$164,500
34	Civil Engineers	10,150	$117,830	$99,330
35	Aerospace Engineers	9,510	$142,630	$134,240
36	Procurement Clerks	8,340	$56,240	$49,200
37	Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	7,950	$57,780	$49,390
38	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	7,840	$78,000	$73,010
39	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	7,780	$69,700	$58,610
40	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	7,740	$102,360	$90,620
41	Pharmacy Technicians	7,550	$66,420	$45,410
42	Firefighters	7,430	$63,270	$38,330
43	Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	7,160	$62,320	$47,180
44	Conservation Scientists	6,970	$88,610	$71,460
45	Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	6,660	$63,420	$45,140
46	Public Relations Specialists	6,640	$115,210	$73,800
47	Pharmacists	6,590	$156,500	$139,850
48	Biological Technicians	6,440	$52,210	$59,410
49	Financial Examiners	6,390	$151,360	$90,000
50	Stockers and Order Fillers	6,370	$59,250	$37,310
51	Fast Food and Counter Workers	6,360	$45,910	$31,200
52	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	6,320	$97,490	$79,880
53	Operations Research Analysts	5,860	$139,980	$90,200
54	Electrical Engineers	5,530	$127,650	$120,070
55	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	5,400	$116,210	$81,400
56	Sheet Metal Workers	5,370	$70,640	$61,100
57	Medical Records Specialists	5,320	$63,880	$50,230
58	Loan Officers	5,100	$81,470	$76,680
59	Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	5,090	$135,700	$66,530
60	Electricians	5,080	$75,030	$62,720

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Free help near you

People moving into government work can get free career counseling, job search help and, if you qualify, help paying for training through American Job Centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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Links go to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Questions about government jobs

Do government jobs pay more than private jobs?

Overall, yes: the median is $63,390 in government and $48,990 in private companies (BLS OEWS May 2025). It depends on the job: in 79 careers government pays at least 10% more, while in others private employers pay more.

What government jobs have the most openings?

The careers with the most government jobs are Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers. Federal, state and local governments together employ 22.7 million people.

Where are federal jobs listed?

Federal jobs are listed on USAJOBS.gov, the official job site of the U.S. federal government. State and local jobs are posted on each state, county or city government website.

Where do these numbers come from?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national estimates by ownership. Government includes public schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service. Supervisor and manager jobs are left out because they are usually filled by promotion.

Keep exploring

Sources. Employment and pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national cross-industry estimates by ownership. Career titles: O*NET 31.0, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0). Data Sources & Licenses