Average federal salaries exceed average private-sector pay in 83% of comparable occupations. A sampling of average annnual salaries in 2008, the most recent data:
Average federal salaries exceed average private-sector pay in 83% of comparable occupations. A sampling of average annnual salaries in 2008, the most recent data:
| Job | Federal | Private | Difference |
| Airline pilot, copilot, flight engineer | $93,690 | $120,012 | -$26,322 |
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| Broadcast technician | $90,310 | $49,265 | $41,045 |
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| Budget analyst | $73,140 | $65,532 | $7,608 |
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| Chemist | $98,060 | $72,120 | $25,940 |
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| Civil engineer | $85,970 | $76,184 | $9,786 |
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| Clergy | $70,460 | $39,247 | $31,213 |
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| Computer, information systems manager | $122,020 | $115,705 | $6,315 |
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| Computer support specialist | $45,830 | $54,875 | -$9,045 |
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| Cook | $38,400 | $23,279 | $15,121 |
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| Crane, tower operator | $54,900 | $44,044 | $10,856 |
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| Dental assistant | $36,170 | $32,069 | $4,101 |
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| Economist | $101,020 | $91,065 | $9,955 |
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| Editors | $42,210 | $54,803 | -$12,593 |
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| Electrical engineer | $86,400 | $84,653 | $1,747 |
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| Financial analysts | $87,400 | $81,232 | $6,168 |
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| Graphic designer | $70,820 | $46,565 | $24,255 |
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| Highway maintenance worker | $42,720 | $31,376 | $11,344 |
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| Janitor | $30,110 | $24,188 | $5,922 |
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| Landscape architects | $80,830 | $58,380 | $22,450 |
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| Laundry, dry-cleaning worker | $33,100 | $19,945 | $13,155 |
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| Lawyer | $123,660 | $126,763 | -$3,103 |
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| Librarian | $76,110 | $63,284 | $12,826 |
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| Locomotive engineer | $48,440 | $63,125 | -$14,685 |
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| Machinist | $51,530 | $44,315 | $7,215 |
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| Mechanical engineer | $88,690 | $77,554 | $11,136 |
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| Office clerk | $34,260 | $29,863 | $4,397 |
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| Optometrist | $61,530 | $106,665 | -$45,135 |
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| Paralegals | $60,340 | $48,890 | $11,450 |
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| Pest control worker | $48,670 | $33,675 | $14,995 |
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| Physicians, surgeons | $176,050 | $177,102 | -$1,052 |
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| Physician assistant | $77,770 | $87,783 | -$10,013 |
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| Procurement clerk | $40,640 | $34,082 | $6,558 |
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| Public relations manager | $132,410 | $88,241 | $44,169 |
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| Recreation worker | $43,630 | $21,671 | $21,959 |
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| Registered nurse | $74,460 | $63,780 | $10,680 |
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| Respiratory therapist | $46,740 | $50,443 | -$3,703 |
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| Secretary | $44,500 | $33,829 | $10,671 |
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| Sheet metal worker | $49,700 | $43,725 | $5,975 |
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| Statistician | $88,520 | $78,065 | $10,455 |
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| Surveyor | $78,710 | $67,336 | $11,374 |
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A few things should immediately jump out at you. For starters, what the hell does the Federal Government need with Public Relations Managers? Do U.S. citizens have a freakin' choice about what government they answer to?
Number two: Aren't there plenty of Landscape Architects out there with less burdensome retirement packages in the private sector who could do this same work for less money?
Number three: Do government clergy making 80K per year spend most of their time thanking God for their jobs?
Number four: I'm to be congratulated for getting this chart to format properly on my website. I deserve more money, whether you want to pay me or not. I know it won't work. Just thought I'd try.
One other thing....the retirement/benefits packages are up to 4 times better for those who can get their foot in the Federal door.
When time permits, do a bit of Googling on the economic situation in Greece and Portugal. The path we're on is well-marked.
