What Are Government Jobs? Everything You Need to Know

Working for the government comes with many perks. These benefits are often the same regardless of whether you work for the federal, state, or local government. Here are some reasons why a public sector job is beneficial:

High employment rate

According to statistics, the United States government remains the largest employer of labor in the country. For instance, the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that the federal government had over 2 million workers. Frequent budget cuts in the past have led to massive downsizing in government departments. Still, your chances of landing a job with the government are high. As the government unfolds new initiatives in the areas of renewable energy, STEM education, veteran care services, and so on, it will need more workers. This explains why government job listings often have thousands of openings yearly.

Attractive pay

Many people think private company jobs attract higher pay compared to government jobs, which isn’t always true. In fact, some public sector jobs offer better remuneration than some private sector positions. Numbers from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management suggest that the average federal employee earns around $87,312 annually. That is impressive, considering that some of the best private jobs don’t offer such amounts. Besides, the salary packages of government workers are often reviewed and raised periodically. For example, former President Barack Obama raised the minimum wage for new government employees from $7.25 to $10.10. More importantly, government workers are under the Federal Wage System, so they are entitled to a raise at three-year intervals. This surely beats a private job where getting a salary raise is at the discretion of the company’s brass.

Exceptional benefits

A government job offers far more perks than even some of the best private jobs, which is impressive, given that the pay is quite competitive. As a government worker, you may benefit from health insurance and attractive pension plans. Some jobs also offer opportunities for student loan debt forgiveness.

Better job security

Most government jobs offer employees an opportunity to receive permanent employment after an initial three-year period. This means you don’t have to fear getting fired from your job. Unlike some private entities that have boom-and-bust cycles, government agencies have programs that run indefinitely. Thus, working for a government department will give you some sense of security.

Opportunity to contribute to public good

If you are an individual with a strong sense of patriotism, then you may find a government job fulfilling. By working with the government, you can serve the country and contribute to its development. Across all sectors of government work, employees always get the chance to make life better for citizens. You could be a police officer and help keep neighborhoods safe from criminal activity. Similarly, you can be a teacher and train future innovators who will spur national development.

Government jobs are divided into several categories, depending on the sector in question. Here are some areas where government jobs are available:

Administration

Administrative employees help with the day-to-day operations of the government. They keep the workings of the government organized and effective. Some examples of administrative workers are office clerks and database administrators.

Law enforcement

Law enforcement officers help keep the country safe by enforcing federal laws. These jobs include police officers, traffic wardens, and FBI agents. Another dimension to law enforcement is becoming a government lawyer. A career in government law involves ensuring lawbreakers receive proper punishment.

Science and engineering

The fields of science and engineering in government are very broad and offer various areas for employment. As a scientist, you can work in areas like renewable energy, astronomy, defense, and botany. Government engineering jobs are also plentiful. You can work as an electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer, or general engineer with agencies like the Department of Transportation, NASA, and the Department of Energy.

Education, public health, and social services

Many government jobs are in the areas of education, medicine, and social work. Taking a job in any of these areas also gives you a chance to improve public life. As a social worker, you create programs that benefit the disadvantaged in society. As an educator, you promote literacy and accelerate creativity. Finally, as a public health professional, you play a role in keeping citizens healthy.

Commerce and technology

Government has a presence in the commerce and technology sector, so it needs skilled workers in that area. For instance, you could help manage government revenue and expenditure, control resources, and oversee accounting. Government technology-related jobs are for those skilled in information technology, programming, and related fields. This sector of government work will continue to grow as the government increases its input in finance and technology.

International relations and linguistics

The U.S. government must maintain relations with other nations so it needs individuals who are skilled in international relations. Linguistics experts who can speak multiple languages are also necessary.

Federal government jobs are quite broad. From our research, here are some of the most popular government jobs:

School teacher

Average base pay: $42,579 per year School teachers impart knowledge to children, which prepares them for the next stage of their lives. As a government teacher, you’ll work in public educational institutions to oversee the intellectual development of students. Prospective teachers must possess a degree and undergo training prior to their appointment.

Emergency responder

Average base pay: $36,043 per year Emergency responders answer calls for help in the event of an accident or some other unfortunate event. EMTs are an example of emergency responders; they provide medical aid to injured and sick individuals and stabilize their condition. Becoming an emergency responder requires passing certification exams.

Correctional officer

Average base pay: $36.495 per year Prisons are designed to keep criminal elements away from society, rehabilitate offenders, and increase community safety. It is correctional officers that keep the prisons running smoothly. The correctional officer oversees operations of the prison; they enforce prison rules, assess inmates’ behavior, and protect the people within the correctional facility.

Social worker

Average base pay: $49,450 per year Social workers find employment in different public sector organizations. As part of their duties, social workers help individuals cope with daily challenges and lead better lives. To be a social worker, you need to have a degree in social services or related fields, empathy, and a desire to help others improve their lives.

Database administrator

Average base pay: $78,779 per year Database administrators help to manage and maintain government databases. A database administrator may modify existing databases, manage database software purchases, and improve database performance. The database administrator also oversees the security storage of public data. They ensure government data is not stolen or accessed by unauthorized entities. These professionals can receive lucrative remunerations, depending on the scope of their work and the branch of government they work for.

Firefighter

Average base pay: $47,636 per year A firefighter is an emergency responder who protects public safety. They help put out fires, rescue victims, and drive water trucks to respond to fire outbreaks. In certain cases, they may give medical aid to the injured. Firefighters also have to maintain firefighting equipment and educate members of the public on fire prevention.

Civil engineer

Average base pay: $76,540 per year A civil engineer assists the government in the construction, operation, and maintenance of roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, and other structures. Civil engineers are important in the establishment of public infrastructure projects. Not only do they provide cost estimates, but they also oversee the procurement of necessary materials, and the construction itself.

Linguist

Average base pay: $75,393 per year Linguists can work for the federal government to translate documents or provide translation services at meetings with officials from other nations. These professionals are a big part of the U.S. international relations machinery. Some duties of a government linguist include completing linguistic interpretations and translations, transcribing audio and text-based materials, and assessing documents written in a foreign language. Understanding what government jobs are can help you choose a career that offers job security, decent pay, and the opportunity to serve the country. Use this guide to discover the various career pathways in the public service that match your qualifications and experience.