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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics) |
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About Federal Government Careers
Government is the single largest employer in the Unites
States. It provides direct employment for millions of
people and indirect employment for millions of other
individuals. Contrary to popular images of government
and public employment, government offers many interesting
and exciting opportunities. Occupations within the field
include: legislative assistant, research assistant,
policy analyst, foreign service officer, diplomatic
aide, cultural affairs officer, caseworker, investigator,
city manager, economic developer, congressional relations,
compliance officer.
Over 200 years ago, the founders of the United States
gathered in Philadelphia, PA, to create a constitution
for a new national government and lay the foundation
for self-governance. The Constitution of the United
States, ratified by the last of the 13 original States
in 1791, created the three branches of the Federal Government
and granted certain powers and responsibilities to each.
The legislative, judicial, and executive branches were
created with equal powers but very different responsibilities
that act to keep their powers in balance.
Occupation Highlights:
- About 3 out of 5 Federal workers held managerial,
business, financial, or professional jobs in 2002,
double the proportion for the workforce as a whole.
- About 4 out of 5 Federal employees worked outside
the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
- Employment in the newly created Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) will include new hires, as well as
workers transferring from other agencies—mostly
from within the Departments of Justice, Transportation,
Agriculture, and the Treasury.
- Job growth generated by increased homeland security
needs may be largely offset by projected slow growth
or declines in other Federal sectors due to budgetary
constraints, the growing use of private contractors,
and the transfer of some functions to State and local
governments.
Earnings
In 2003, the average worker paid under the General Schedule
earned $55,871. At $118,002, patent administrators had
the highest average earnings, while some administrative
support workers started at salaries less than $20,000.
Average
annual salaries in the Federal Government in selected
occupations, March 2003
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Occupation |
Salary |
| |
|
|
| |
All occupations |
$55,871 |
| |
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|
| |
Patent administrator |
118,002 |
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Astronomer |
100,591 |
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Attorney |
96,800 |
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Financial manager |
87,508 |
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Podiatrist |
84,729 |
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Statistician |
83,472 |
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Economist |
81,852 |
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Computer scientist |
80,656 |
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Chemist |
76,857 |
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Electrical engineer |
74,909 |
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Architect |
74,581 |
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Microbiologist |
73,513 |
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Librarian |
70,238 |
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Chaplain |
69,308 |
| |
Intelligence agent |
68,436 |
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Personnel specialist |
66,802 |
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Ecologist |
65,207 |
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Accountant |
63,370 |
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Budget Analyst |
62,400 |
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Physical therapist |
59,910 |
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Nurse |
56,442 |
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Botanist |
55,727 |
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Engineering technician |
53,736 |
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Border Patrol agent |
49,764 |
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Customs inspector |
48,749 |
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Law clerk |
46,582 |
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Secretary |
36,744 |
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Police officer |
36,622 |
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Fire protection and prevention worker |
36,487 |
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Medical technician |
32,958 |
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Dental assistant |
30,071 |
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Nursing assistant |
29,160 |
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Mail and file clerk |
27,777 |
Additional Resources:
www.usajobs.opm.gov
www.govtjobs.com
www.careersingovernment.com
www.opm.gov/careerintern/index.htm
www.opm.gov/employ/luevano.htm
www.pmi.opm.gov
www.gedworld.gov
www.governmentguide.com
www.hrsjobs.com
www.pse-net.com
Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco
Citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Career Guide to Industries, 2004-05 Edition,
Federal Government, Excluding the Postal Service, on
the Internet at www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs041.htm
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