March 1, 2021 | 6-minute read | Source: Ladders Inc.
Are you looking for a government job for stability and great benefits? Here are 15 of the greatest government jobs, with the best benefits.
The covid-19 pandemic has left affected many economies. One of the ripple effects of the pandemic is a high unemployment rate. That’s why many are looking for positions that offer job security, employee benefits, and a good salary. One of the jobs that provide a kind of security is a public sector job.
According to the U.S Office of Personnel Management, the average government employee earns almost $85,000 per year. These employees are in a wide range of fields such as medicine, law, finance, and science.
Before we dive into the best government jobs for you to consider, let’s discuss the pros and cons of working for the government.
Pros of working in the public sector:
Working for the government comes with various benefits such as:
Job security
For many people, job security can be fundamental. They want to be sure that they can pay their bills and don’t want to stress out about money. One of the most significant benefits of working in the public sector is the stability that comes with the job.
As compared to employees working in the private sector, public employees have a lower risk of getting retrenched. Studies show that employees in the private sector have three times higher chances of getting terminated than government employees.
Unlike companies that can go out of business, the government will always be in business. The role of the government is to deliver services to the people. So, it will always need employees to provide the necessary services.
Flexibility
The majority of government employees work for not more than 40 hours a week.
This offers them an opportunity to maintain an excellent work-life balance. At the same time, flexible work schedules are encouraged, as is working from home.
Benefits
In most cases, government jobs offer more benefits compared to the private sector. These benefits may include a better health care plan with lower costs or a good retirement package. Public sector employees can even choose to retire early and still get their full benefits.
When it comes to health benefits, the Federal Healthcare Benefits Program (FHBP) has a wide selection of health care plans for US employers. The majority of health care plans offer significant benefits to retirees as compared to many private medical plans.
Time off
Over their careers, employees working for the federal, state, or local government receive about 1.5 additional years of paid holidays and vacation compared to the private sector employees.
This means that government employees are given enough time to recharge and to function better, taking care of their mental health.
Therefore, the public sector isn’t as strict as the private sector when it comes to time off. If there are Federal holidays, these are fully observed.
Cons of government jobs:
Government jobs also come with their own disadvantages. These include;
Lower salaries
Government employees are usually paid less than their counterparts in the private sector. This is why many government employees jump the boat to the private sector, where you can earn a double salary for the same job.
Low chances of salary growth
The government also has a lower potential for increased earnings as compared to those in the private sector. Even when the government increases the salary, this will rarely match the inflation rate, let alone beyond that.
If you want to earn a salary increase higher than the inflation, often you will find yourself applying for other positions within the government.
Low chances of promotions
The process of getting promoted in the public sector can be a hard one. For instance, if you work as a government attorney, you can’t be promoted to become a partner. They simply don’t have that option. Therefore, as a government employee, you will have to sacrifice some promotion opportunities.
Minimal control
There is a lot of bureaucracy in the government. Employees have little freedom to make a decision. Whether it’s a major or minor decision, you can expect it to go through a lengthy approval process before your idea can be implemented.
15 greatest government jobs to consider:
The general feeling is that private-sector jobs are more lucrative as compared to public-sector jobs.
But this is not always the case. We have some lucrative government jobs that come with a lot of perks. Let’s look at the top 15 government jobs to consider.
1. Astronomer/space scientist
You can get a lucrative government job working for NASA, National Science Foundation, and other government agencies. An astronomer/space scientist’s job is one of the most lucrative paying an average annual salary of $141,981.
The job requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physics, Math, or other related sciences. Astronomers working for the federal government earn more and have an average salary of $162,000 per annum.
2. Auditor
As an auditor, your role is to carry out detailed financial audits and ensuring that all the arms of the government are adhering to the government policies and regulations.
To work as a government auditor, you will need a degree in accounting. A master’s degree or Ph.D. may be required for the higher grades. The salary for a government auditor ranges from $57,510 to $117,191 per year, depending on the grade, roles, and responsibilities.
3. Chemist
As a chemist, your role is to carry out laboratory experiments, qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis to determine if there are any contaminants in foods. Some chemists are trained in forensic research and can work in agencies such as the secret service.
To work as a chemist, you will need an advanced degree in chemistry and other related fields. The salary of a chemist ranges from $54,757 to $128,920 per annum, depending on the responsibility.
4. Civil engineer
As a civil engineer, your role is to plan, design, and oversee the construction of facilities and their maintenance.
This job requires a bachelor’s or advanced degree in engineering, with substantial civil engineering coursework. The salary of a civil engineer ranges from $57,510 to $136,926 per year, depending on the location and responsibility.
5. Computer scientist
As a computer scientist, your role may be to design, develop and test the system-level software used in the military, aerospace, and other fields.
This job requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science. The salary of a computer scientist ranges from $61,642 to $166,500.
6. Mathematician/statistician
As a statistician or mathematician, your role is to carry out data analysis and to identify trends. Various government agencies hire statisticians, including the FBI and the Food Safety Inspection Service. In the FBI, statisticians often work as special agents in different parts of the world.
To work for these agencies as a statistician, you will need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or statistics.
You may be required to undergo further training to work for agencies such as the FBI. But the rewards are handsome, with the highest-paid workers in these positions earning about $241,600.
7. Chief engineer
The role of a chief engineer is to supervise US research vessels in agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
To work in this position, you will need a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. This is one of the most in-demand government jobs. Only 20 Federal government Chief Engineers were hired in the last years, with a maximum salary of $161,000.
8. Patent administrator
The role of a patent administrator is to oversee inventions. The employees handle the complicated paperwork, process, and fill the application for patents. They also work to ensure that patent laws are followed and legal searches are conducted.
To work as a patent administrator, you need a degree as a federal patent administrator, where you can earn a maximum salary of $187,000.
9. Air traffic controller
The role of an air traffic controller is to ensure the safe passage of airplanes.
To work in this position, you will need a bachelor’s degree in a college approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. This job pays an average salary of $124,570.
10. Economist
As an economist, your role is to carry out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of data to determine economic conditions.
This job requires a bachelor’s degree with a major in economics, statistics, or mathematics. The salary of an economist ranges from $51,026 to $166,500 per annum.
11. Nurse
The role of a nurse is to triage patients, assess their health problems, and carry out the right nursing care plans.
To work as a nurse, you need a diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or a master’s in a nursing-related program. A nurse earns between $38,524 and $59,660 per year.
12. Human resource officer
The role of a human resource specialist is to ensure the smooth recruitment and placement of government officers. These can handle tasks that are related to employee relations, benefits, compensations, and training.
To work as a human resource officer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in a field like human resources, psychology, or business. The salary for these professionals ranges between $42,246 and $152,325 per year, depending on responsibility and location.
13. Administration law judge
As an administrative law judge, your role is to handle various claims against government agency programs such as Social security administration, Medicare, and Medicaid.
These jobs require you to be registered and licensed as an attorney with at least seven years of practice. The highest-paid administration law judges earn about $172,000 per annum.
14. Physician
Government physicians handle different fields of medical care such as surgery, cardiology, oncology, hematology, and more.
To work in this role, you will need a degree in medicine from an accredited medical school. You will also need to obtain board certification. Physicians earn a salary that ranges from $130,000 to $320,000 per year.
15. Program manager
As a program manager, you will be working in various government departments such as the department of energy and the US Customs and Border Protection. Your goal is to oversee different projects and ensure their successful completion.
To work in this role, you will need a bachelor’s degree and experience in project management. The highest salary of a program manager is about $170,680 per year.
Conclusion:
Working in the public sector has the image of lower compensation and a slower career. As with anything, it is what you make of it. You can make hundreds of thousands of dollars working for the government, or you can be comfortable with median salary and excellent benefits.
The perception is slowly changing, where the public sector is now considered a stable and secure employer. They offer excellent benefits and offer plenty of room to grow.
With the right skills, you can find a well-paying government job that probably pays better than most corporate jobs.
