Top 15 Highest Paying Federal Government Jobs In America
Top 15 Highest Paying Federal Government Jobs In America
Contents

There are 2.1 million federal employees in the United States. A third of them work in the daily administrative drudgery of managing the third-most populous nation's largest economy, which is the world's largest. In addition to these, the federal government employs people in blue-collar, technical, and professional jobs.

Within these categories, salaries differ. Advanced technical specialties in disciplines like computer engineering, healthcare, pharmacology, financial analysis, and space science are necessary to rank among the highest paid federal employees. Some of these jobs are also uncommon. With an average annual salary of $144,620, the Fish and Wildlife Service, for instance, employs only 360 people and ranks among the highest paid positions in the federal government.

The U.S. Justice Department's lawyers make up the majority of the highest-paid federal workers. The average yearly salary for the close to 38,000 of them is $146,902. The second-largest group at the Veterans Health Administration is made up of medical officers, who earn an average yearly salary of $251,055.

Here is the top 15 highest paying federal Government jobs in America.

What are federal jobs?

The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government all have jobs available to them. Some federal jobs entail working with the military, as politicians, or for politicians. Numerous federal jobs, such as those in the fields of science, emergency medicine, food safety, and criminal justice, also serve the interests of civilians. Pursuing a federal job can result in a rewarding and stable career because they typically offer competitive salaries and long-term employment stability.

What do federal employees do?

Federal employees maintain government operations and serve civilians. Several federal job categories involve unique actions and projects. Government job categories and titles:

Government bureaucrats

Federal administrative workers handle payroll, new hire training, and daily operations. They may work in policy-making and communications offices or government buildings. HR, accounting, and program specialists are administrative federal jobs.

Federal professionals

Federal employees are experts in policy analysis, budgeting, and healthcare. They work in government offices and law firms. Lawyers, financial analysts, and government healthcare physicians are federal professional jobs.

Federal techs

Technical federal employees work on complex projects like product testing, scientific research, and disease prevention. They may work in government labs or research facilities with the necessary equipment. General engineers, computer network administrators, and research scientists are federal technical jobs.

Federal workers

Construction, HVAC, and housekeeping are blue-collar federal jobs. These workers can work in multiple government buildings or construction sites per day. Carpenters, custodians, and welders are federal blue-collar jobs.

Federal clerks

Federal clerical workers enter data, prepare documents, and help departments communicate. They work in political offices or government buildings. Administrative assistants, office clerks, and program support assistants are federal clerical jobs.

federal workers

Some federal workers have non-traditional qualifications. These jobs may require daily travel outside government buildings. Police, firefighters, and FBI agents are unspecified federal jobs.

What are federal employee requirements?

Federal jobs require certain qualifications. Federal workers must be citizens. Federal workers must be 18. Candidates who are at least 16 years old and earn their high school diploma or GED early, complete a vocational training program, or have a school letter of permission can apply.

Federal applicants must also meet job qualifications. Qualification standards include professional experience, education, licensure, and certification for a specific job. Before applying for a federal job, research its qualifications to make sure you meet them.

Apply for Federal Government Jobs

Make a list of the government organizations in which you are interested to get started. To get a sense of what to expect, visit USA Jobs, create a profile, and browse the open positions. If you have a specific job in mind, type it in the search bar and then choose the location you want.

The results can also be filtered by department, agency, and other factors. Another choice is to scroll to the bottom of the homepage and look for jobs for students, veterans, and federal workers. Some positions, particularly in the fields of engineering, finance, IT, and healthcare, are available to the general public.

Revise your resume before submitting it for federal employment. The Challenge, Context, Action and Result (CCAR) storytelling model is advised by Boise State University for adding depth to your resume. Simply put, you need to give specific examples of your career successes and the difference you made at the companies you worked for. Keep in mind that federal resumes should be around four pages long and contain the specifics of the position you want (such as the title, series, and grade).

Top 15 Highest-Paying Federal Government Jobs in the U.S Today

1. Medical Officer

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

> Avg. yearly salary: $251,055

> Number of employees: 33,865

> Leading department for occupation: Veterans Health Administration

Senior doctors who oversee all facets of patient care within their departments are known as medical officers. They keep an eye on daily activities, act as clinical advisors, and look into potential issues. They oversee clinical trials and participate in medical research projects.

Duties of a medical officer:

providing guidance to junior doctors and adding clinical expertise to patient care.

administering business operations and managing risks.

maintaining the highest standards for patient care.

confirming difficult diagnoses and assisting with treatment plans.

appointing, managing, and mentoring healthcare workers as well as working with consultants.

managing allotted funds and determining inpatient care's need for improvement.

Keeping up with industry developments and making contributions to programs for medical research.

ensuring adherence to safety and healthcare regulations.

reporting to senior management and coordinating between the medical and administrative staff.

ensuring accurate and consistent methods for maintaining medical records.

requirements for medical officers:

a medical bachelor's degree.

It would be beneficial to have a master's degree in business administration (MBA) or health administration (MHA).

ten or more years of clinical experience.

experience in health administration of at least four years.

clinical experience with risk management.

advanced understanding of medical research ethics and methodology.

extensive understanding of medical records management procedures.

advanced capability to guarantee the best possible patient care and adherence to healthcare regulations.

the capacity to stay current with developments in the area of expertise.

Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.

2. Securities compliance examining

Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

> Avg. yearly salary: $199,912

> Number of employees: 349

> Leading department for occupation: Security and Exchange Commission

A compliance examiner inspects buildings or branch offices on a regular basis and without notice. Jobs as compliance examiners are frequently available in banks, corporate branches, and the Federal Reserve. A compliance examiner's primary responsibility is to confirm that facilities adhere to all enforceable company policies, follow the proper procedures, and comply with securities regulations. A competent compliance examiner works to continuously improve the inspection process and has experience with audit documentation. They are in charge of developing the audit schedule and educating the staff regarding compliance-related issues.

Getting Started as a Compliance Examiner

A bachelor's degree in a business-related field of study is required, as well as experience gained through a prior job, an internship, or on-the-job training with financial and inspection responsibilities. Excellent verbal and written communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities are also required qualifications. Compliance auditors must be highly knowledgeable about the rules and laws that apply to their sector and be able to communicate issues and recommendations to management. These jobs involve travel, so you'll need a current driver's license, a spotless driving record, and dependable transportation.

3. Dental Officer

Photo: Dentistry.com
Photo: Dentistry.com

> Avg. yearly salary: $192,586

> Number of employees: 1,759

> Leading department for occupation: Veterans Health Administration

A licensed dentist or dental specialist who works for a municipality in a public health clinic or a prison is known as a dental officer. As a dental officer, you examine and treat patients with a range of dental issues, supervise other dental professionals to ensure high standards of care, create preventative care programs to educate patients on good oral hygiene practices, and collaborate with administrators to find more effective ways to give patients better dental care. Dental officers are also employed by the armed forces, but to be eligible for these positions, applicants must enlist.

Getting a Job as a Dental Officer

A degree from a dental school and a state license to practice dentistry are prerequisites for a career as a dental officer with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps or a branch of the U.S. military. The conclusion of your medical training will determine whether you are appointed as a dental officer. In the event of a national emergency or disaster, your duties as a dental officer will involve performing forensic dental examinations or offering dental care to community members. You can make a difference through your responsibilities thanks to your leadership and dental skills.

4. Administrative law judge

Photo: FLRA
Photo: FLRA

> Avg. yearly salary: $178,224

> Number of employees: 1,697

> Leading department for occupation: Social Security Administration

In order to guarantee fairness in administrative proceedings before Federal Government agencies, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) established the role of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in 1946.

In formal proceedings requiring a decision on the record following the opportunity for a hearing, ALJs act as independent, impartial fact-finders. In general, ALJs organize and preside over formal proceedings that must be held in accordance with or under the terms of the APA, which are codified, in pertinent part, in sections 553 through 559 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.). Preliminary motions are decided by ALJs, who also hold pre-hearing conferences, appoint witnesses, conduct hearings (which may involve cross-examination and written or oral testimony), review briefs, and prepare and issue decisions that include written findings of fact and legal conclusions.

Principal obligations

adjudicate benefits claims made by the government.

Work on cases assigned by the government to establish a person's eligibility for various Social Security or workers' compensation benefits, to safeguard the environment, to enforce health and safety laws, to prevent employment discrimination, and to ensure economic regulation compliance.

Review the background and case of the applicant.

Make sure to thoroughly verify all information, including reports on intelligence, criminal history, immigration, and citizenship.

Prepare an analysis for the government with recommendations for specific actions.

Provide evidence to support the suggested course of action.

preserve your security clearance.

control the support staff.

To prepare for hearings and to reach decisions, conduct research on and analysis of laws, regulations, policies, and precedent rulings.

Send out subpoenas.

Determine the existence and extent of liability in accordance with the law at the time.

Approve the payment of legitimate claims.

Make concessions in settlements.

Follow proceedings at hearings and trials.

Inform claimants of decisions and their right to appeal.

Create written judgments.

Review claim submissions, birth and death records, and employer files.

5. Patent attorney

Photo: Manufacturing Works
Photo: Manufacturing Works

> Avg. yearly salary: $174,665

> Number of employees: 387

> Leading department for occupation: Patent and Trademark Office

Patent attorneys are experts in intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, design rights, and copyright laws. They act as litigators to defend their clients' rights to an invention and represent inventors or businesses in the patent application process.

Responsibilities of a patent attorney

Legal counsel on important intellectual property rights, including patents, technical data, trade secrets, licenses, copyrights, and trademarks.

For the benefit of clients' intellectual property, interpret laws, decisions, and regulations.

assemble evidence while conducting legal, technical, and scientific research.

Describe, make clear, and simplify complicated technical information.

Provide clients with legal representation in court cases involving intellectual property.

By enforcing legal, contractual, and other obligations, provide protection for the client's intellectual property.

By securing intellectual property rights and patent protection, offer to protect the client's intellectual property.

Give guidance and support on all issues pertaining to managing inventions and creating patent applications for inventions.

Keep an eye on research and development projects for inventions and potential outside claims for compensation.

In order to determine the appropriate intellectual property clauses to include in the resulting contract, review proposals and proposed statements of work.

6. Patent administration

Photo: IPI Academy
Photo: IPI Academy

> Avg. yearly salary: $170,328

> Number of employees: 389

> Leading department for occupation: Patent and Trademark Office

Principal obligations

Draft a variety of correspondence, memos, presentations, and documents and forms related to patents.

Create, implement, and maintain an electronic filing system for documents pertaining to patents with the USPTO.

oversee the contract-purchasing process, which includes offering supporting evidence, conducting discovery, speaking with witnesses, and making arguments.

Create and submit sequence listings, information disclosure statements, declarations, powers of attorney, and assignment documents, as well as any other paperwork needed for international patent applications.

Examine judgments made by outside counsel.

Control the dockets for patent attorney prosecution.

aid in docketing responsibilities.

Organize the schedules of the attorneys and the case files.

Plan gatherings, conferences, and group activities.

Process purchase orders, maintain informational spreadsheets, create reports, process invoices and expense reports, arrange travel, and plan itineraries.

oversee direct reports that include paralegals, administrative staff, scientific advisors, and/or patent attorneys.

Investigate patents, file histories, active legal proceedings, and citizen petitions.

provide stakeholders with legal counsel.

Create, pursue, and protect patent applications to protect patent rights.

7. Technical systems program manager

Photo: AIM Consulting
Photo: AIM Consulting

> Avg. yearly salary: $162,583

> Number of employees: 610

> Leading department for occupation: Federal Aviation Administration

As businesses become more digitally oriented, technical program managers (TPMs) are one of the roles that are growing in popularity. In general, TPMs support organizational strategy, team alignment, cross-functional stakeholder collaboration, and complex project delivery.

A challenging credential balance is needed for everything. The best TPM candidates will have the technical know-how to establish credibility with their staff, the soft skills to excel at managing others, and the business acumen to effectively interact with upper management.

Technical tasks:

Organize and lead technical design and architecture meetings for various teams.

oversee the specifications for hardware (system design, hardware selection, etc.) and software (design, architecture, and testing). assets

Manage using Agile techniques

Recognize the technical requirements of the organization's other departments.

Soft-skills work:

Serve as the go-between for technical and non-technical coworkers in communication

Create and uphold fruitful internal relationships

Promote communication and cooperation between IT and other departments

Create reports with a specific audience in mind for various internal or external audiences.

Keep up with the most recent information, news, and trends in program management and the company's sector.

Business responsibilities:

Manage project escalations, proactively manage risks, organize and track jobs, define project scopes, ruthlessly prioritize tasks, and solve issues

achieving particular business goals

assist with the planning of the roadmap

Create strategies and put tactics in place to carry those strategies out

Represent company management to technical teams, and vice versa, by resolving complex business problems within the time and budget allotted

Influence people throughout the company to keep their attention on the desired results without having direct authority

8. Program management

> Avg. yearly salary: $153,310

> Number of employees: 9,950

> Leading department for occupation: Internal Revenue Service

Program managers are in charge of ensuring that overall organizational objectives are achieved. Without taking direct management of the projects, they coordinate their activities. Instead, they oversee the primary program, paying close attention to its implementation, delegation, and strategy. The manager has a big responsibility to make sure that everyone on the team knows how to collaborate and coordinate efforts in order to achieve a bigger objective.

Program managers support businesses in staying on schedule, within budget, and ultimately on a path to success and growth.

In many organizations, carrying out numerous separate projects is necessary to achieve one big, overarching goal. Additionally, keeping them organized can be difficult when they are all connected. Program managers come into play in this situation.

What Performs a Program Manager?

An organization's business strategy and goals are aligned with new programs through the implementation of strategic tasks by a program manager. Their duties mainly involve delegation and high levels of coordination.

What precisely is a program? Typically, a program refers to a collection of connected projects, or projects and programs, that support one main business initiative, such as:

Selling cycle Product launch

opening of a facility or store

marketing strategy

customer or staff education

9. Podiatrist

> Avg. yearly salary: $152,591

> Number of employees: 808

> Leading department for occupation: Veterans Health Administration

Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the feet, ankles, and lower legs. A podiatrist will apply therapeutic treatment, recommend orthotics, or perform surgeries on the ankle or feet after consulting with a patient.

Responsibilities of a podiatrist

hospital or clinic patient consultations.

examining a patient's medical background.

diagnosing conditions, illnesses, or injuries by looking at a patient's leg, ankles, and feet.

physical examinations and X-rays of a patient's lower extremities.

treating foot or leg injuries brought on by sport.

using methods like casting or laser therapy to treat conditions and deformities.

prescribing pain medication and orthotics.

ordering bone density assessments and ultrasounds.

performing operations on the ankle and foot.

advising patients on therapeutic methods and proper foot care.

10. Astronomy and space science

> Avg. yearly salary: $150,579

> Number of employees: 387

> Leading department for occupation: Goddard Space Flight Center

Astronomers use software, hardware, and other tools that are based on the ground to examine and comprehend celestial objects and events. They create and test theories, use equipment to observe space, publish their research, and contribute to our growing understanding of the cosmos.

Responsibilities of an astronomer

using current mathematical and scientific principles to conduct experiments, gather and analyze data, and learn more about space, planets, stars, and moons.

Creating new theories, programs, and technologies to help with testing.

creating funding proposals and scholarly articles based on discoveries.

working with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, technicians, and engineers with expertise in various fields.

visiting research facilities and observatories around the globe to observe celestial phenomena and gather data using specialized tools. giving lectures and making presentations to others about the most recent scientific findings.

11. Physicist

> Avg. yearly salary: $147,212

> Number of employees: 711

> Leading department for occupation: National Institute of Standards of Technology

An explanation of the effects of forces, structures, and phenomena on the natural world is the goal of physics. In addition to giving lectures and instructing students about the laws of physics, this position necessitates extensive amounts of research to produce reports and technical papers that benefit the industry at large. A physicist typically advances in their career to become an organization's Chief Medical Physicist.

The minimum educational requirement to become a physicist is a bachelor's degree in the subject, with a master's or doctoral degree needed to teach at the collegiate level. A good candidate for the position will have excellent research and reporting skills, with the expectation of exceptional verbal and written communications, as extensive research is a requirement of the position. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, which will help with the writing of research papers and reports, are among the other skills.

Physicist's Responsibilities

Study the forces, structures, and phenomena that have an impact on the natural world.

Concentrate research efforts on a chosen, highly specialized area of physics.

To compile and gather pertinent data, plan and take charge of the research and experimentation process.

For each study, formulate a hypothesis based on the methodology and goals.

Analyze experiment findings and carry out quality assurance checks.

the incorporation of findings into reports and presentations

Participate in and support the writing of technical research papers

According to the curriculum, deliver lectures and lessons on the laws of physics to the class.

12. General attorney

> Avg. yearly salary: $146,902

> Number of employees: 37,964

> Leading department for occupation: Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys

A state or territory's top law enforcement official is the attorney general. They are accountable for upholding and enforcing all federal and state laws that fall under their purview, which includes looking into and prosecuting crimes like murder, theft, and fraud.

Additionally, the Attorney General may take part in civil cases involving the public interest. Cases involving consumer protection, antitrust laws, or other legal disputes in which the government has a stake are examples of this.

Job Duties of the Attorney General

The Attorney General's duties can include a wide range of things, such as:

representing the state in any legal disputes to which it is a party, including appeals

serving as the state's top law enforcer and in charge of the state's police departments that look into crimes

providing legal advice to state government agencies on a variety of topics, such as corporate law, family law, criminal law, and environmental protection

drafting legislation that falls within their purview or endorsing measures put forth by other legislators

establishing guidelines for businesses on moral conduct and consumer protection

when the state is sued, defending it in court and appearing before appellate panels

enforcing state laws and bringing legal action to hold government agencies accountable for following rules and regulations

examining potential statutory violations by companies, state agencies, and individuals

keeping an eye on other state departments' activities to make sure they're staying within the bounds of their statutory authority

13. Financial management

Photo: MTP plc
Photo: MTP plc

> Avg. yearly salary: $145,322

> Number of employees: 679

> Leading department for occupation: Veterans Health Administration

Financial managers develop plans and strategies, manage investments, and produce financial reports for the long-term financial advantage of a company or organization. They collaborate closely with the management group and may work for hotels, banks, or insurance firms.

Responsibilities of a financial manager

preparing financial statements, forecasts, and reports on business activity.making sure all monetary legal requirements are met.

creating systems for financial reporting.

examining financial reports and business procedures to find ways to keep costs at a minimum or to reduce them.

market trends analysis to find business opportunities and increase profits.

supporting financial decisions made by management.

preserving knowledge of the most recent financial system.

14. Fish and wildlife Administration

Photo: My DOI Career
Photo: My DOI Career

> Avg. yearly salary: $144,620

> Number of employees: 360

> Leading department for occupation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Administrators of fisheries, fish and wildlife resources, and their habitats oversee and lead scientific programs, regulatory activities, projects, and operations.

With sporadic fieldwork outside, work is done in an office setting. When working in the field, one must be prepared for bad weather, be vigilant for poisonous snakes and stinging insects, and wear protective equipment.

15. Pharmacology

> Avg. yearly salary: $143,745

> Number of employees: 647

> Leading department for occupation: Food and Drug Administration

In addition to developing, identifying, and testing medications to treat, prevent, and cure illnesses, pharmacologists also test gases, dust, food colorings, and chemicals to see if they are harmful. The pharmacologist will study and test drugs on living things like plants, animals, and people.

Responsibilities of a pharmacologist

investigating how drugs, chemicals, and other substances affect people, animals, and plants.

observing and documenting the reactions that occur while researching the effects of new or modified medications.

highlighting potential negative and positive side effects, advising on dosages, and outlining the situations in which the medication should be used.

identifying potentially dangerous substances in the environment by examining household, commercial, and agricultural chemicals as well as pesticides and food preservatives.

conducting research using computer-aided design (CAD), cultured cells, lab animals, plants, and human tissue.

examining intricate scientific data.

writing thorough reports and delivering findings to senior coworkers and scientific peers.

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