Working for the federal government can be both personally and financially rewarding. Government workers have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of American citizens. Contrary to popular belief, many government positions can be exciting, involving important tasks such as defending clients in high-profile court cases or fighting infectious diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Below are three of the best federal government jobs and salary comparisons for similar positions in the private sector.
Microbiologist
Microbiologists study microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses. A career in microbiology may be for you if you are interested in studying immunology, virology, and disease transmission.
Microbiologists are in high demand in many government departments, including the military. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Army, the Navy, and the Department of Agriculture all have exciting careers waiting for you in the field of microbiology. A microbiologist working for the federal government earns an average annual wage of approximately $87,000, compared to $72,000 in the private sector.
Chemist
A chemist studies the composition and properties of chemicals and how they interact with each other through experiments, analysis, and development of new compounds. Chemists can be found in the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and branches of the military. If you're seeking a career as a chemist, you must be highly educated with advanced degrees.
Chemists are in high demand in both the federal government and the private sector, especially in pharmaceutical companies. The annual salary for a chemist working in a government position averages close to $90,000, while private sector positions pay approximately $73,000.
Attorney
An attorney is a person who is legally qualified to practice in a court of law and prosecute or defend actions for clients. The annual salary of an attorney in the private sector is about $15,000 higher than for attorneys that work for the federal government, but both maintain an annual salary of six figures.
Federal attorneys may work in any of the three branches of government: legislative, judicial, or executive. Anyone wishing to practice law has the opportunity to do so for several government agencies, such as the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of the Treasury. Practice areas can range from litigation to regulatory or advisory positions.
Perks of a Federal Government Job
Federal pay and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation are often competitive. In some cases, these benefits are superior to those found in private-sector and nonprofit jobs. Many federal jobs have flexible work schedules, the potential for telecommuting, generous sick leave, and all federal holidays off, making for an excellent balance between work and personal life. One final benefit of working for the government is job security; work can be steady even when economic times are tough.
