Government & Public Sector Job Salaries
Salary data for federal, state, and local government careers — from police officers and firefighters to air traffic controllers and federal analysts. Includes the full federal GS pay scale with locality pay explained. Federal jobs are listed on USAJOBS.gov; civil service exams and hiring processes vary by agency.
Avg. Median (Govt Jobs)
$85,686
National average
GS Scale Range
GS-1–15
$22,182 – $155,508
Jobs Covered
17
Source: BLS 2024
Salary by Government & Civil Service Role
| Job Title | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| ⚖️Judge / Magistrate | $156,210 |
| ✈️Air Traffic Controller | $144,580 |
| 🏛️Political Scientist | $139,380 |
| 🔍Detective / Investigator | $93,580 |
| 📊Budget Analyst | $87,930 |
| 🚨Emergency Mgmt Director | $86,130 |
| 🗺️Urban Planner | $83,720 |
| 🌿Environmental Scientist | $80,060 |
| 📋Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| 👮Police Officer | $76,290 |
| 🤝Social Worker | $69,480 |
| ⚖️Probation Officer | $64,520 |
| 📮Postal Service Clerk | $61,630 |
| 💰Tax Examiner / Agent | $59,740 |
| 🚒Firefighter | $59,530 |
| 🏛️Correctional Officer | $57,970 |
| 📬Postal Mail Carrier | $57,490 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS 2024. Mix of federal, state, and local government positions.
Federal GS Pay Scale with Locality Pay
Most federal civilian employees are paid on the General Schedule (GS). The table below shows base pay (Step 1, Step 5, Step 10) for each grade. Locality pay adds 15–44% on top in major metros — a GS-12 in Washington DC earns ~$20,000 more than the base rate, and in San Francisco up to ~$33,000 more. Use OPM's official pay tables for exact locality-adjusted figures.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,182 | $25,028 | $27,718 |
| GS-2 | $24,942 | $27,163 | $30,208 |
| GS-3 | $27,218 | $30,571 | $33,924 |
| GS-4 | $30,556 | $34,325 | $38,094 |
| GS-5 | $34,191 | $38,465 | $42,739 |
| GS-6 | $38,113 | $42,877 | $47,639 |
| GS-7 | $42,460 | $47,768 | $53,076 |
| GS-8 | $47,065 | $52,948 | $58,831 |
| GS-9 | $51,941 | $58,434 | $64,928 |
| GS-10 | $57,147 | $64,291 | $71,436 |
| GS-11 | $62,760 | $70,606 | $78,451 |
| GS-12 | $75,216 | $84,618 | $94,020 |
| GS-13 | $89,492 | $100,678 | $111,864 |
| GS-14 | $105,738 | $118,955 | $132,171 |
| GS-15 | $124,406 | $139,957 | $155,508 |
Base rates only. Locality pay adjustments apply in most metro areas and can add 15–35%. Source: OPM 2024 General Schedule Pay Tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do government jobs pay well compared to private sector?▾
For mid-level and senior roles, federal government pay is often below private sector salaries — but total compensation (pension, healthcare, job security, leave) frequently exceeds it. Entry-level government jobs (GS-5 to GS-9) often pay better than equivalent private-sector starting salaries when benefits are included.
What does locality pay mean for federal employees?▾
Locality pay is an additional percentage added to GS base pay based on where you work. The Washington DC area gets ~32% locality pay; San Francisco ~44%; rest of US ~17%. This means a GS-12 Step 1 in San Francisco earns about $108,000 vs. the $75,216 base rate.
What is the average federal government salary?▾
The average federal civilian employee earns approximately $97,000/year including locality pay, according to OPM data. This is higher than the national average but skews high due to the concentration of GS-12 to GS-15 professionals in Washington DC.
Do state and local government workers earn less than federal workers?▾
Generally, yes. State and local government salaries vary widely by state and role. Teachers, police officers, and firefighters are typically paid by local government and wages vary enormously — a police officer in San Jose, CA earns nearly twice what one in Jackson, MS earns.
Government salary varies a lot by city
A GS-12 in San Francisco earns ~44% more than the base rate. Use our calculator to compare the real purchasing power across locations.