25 Highest Annual Salaries in Government
Searching for a high paying government job? Make sure you're looking in the right places.
Kyle Stone | Associate Editor, GovCentral (Source: OPM)
11) Statistician – $81,524
Departments with High Demand:
• Department of Commerce
• Department of the Army
• Department of the Navy
Projected Growth: 9%
Employees Needed: 1,900
Education Level: A master’s degree in statistics or mathematics is the minimum educational requirement for most jobs as a statistician.
Internship Opportunities:
The Department of Commerce offers three Summer and Academic Paid Year Internships.
12) Librarian – $78,665
Departments with High Demand:
• Department of the Air Force
• Library of Congress
• Department of the Army
Projected Growth: 4%
Employees Needed: 5,800
Education Level: A master’s degree in library science is the main qualification for most librarian positions, although school librarians often need experience as teachers to meet State licensing requirements.
Internship Opportunities:
The State of Michigan offers information about Library Internship Programs.
13) Accountant – $78,030
Departments with High Demand:
• Department of the Air Force
• Department of Justice
• Department of Defense
Projected Growth: 12%
Employees Needed: 264,000
Education Level: A bachelor’s degree is sometimes required.
Internship Opportunities:
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission offers a Summer Honors College Program.
14) Chaplain – $76,511
Departments with High Demand:
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Department of Justice
• Department of the Army
15) Ecologist – $76,511
Departments with High Demand:
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Justice
• Department of the Army
Projected Growth: 25%
Employees Needed: 23,000
Education Level: A master’s degree also the minimum educational requirement for most entry-level applied research positions in private industry, in State and Federal agencies, and at State geological surveys.
Internship Opportunities:
The Alaska Science Center offers a Fisheries Behavioral Ecology Program.
karyn2010
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
This information is very helpful. The field's projected growth and employee's needed will help people refine their job searches!
Jhoover1
over 3 years ago
20 comments
Good Article
geochris
over 3 years ago
4 comments
I wouyld like to be a Criminal Investigator, I find that work exciting and interesting. I would like to be part of the process to keep this Country safe from harmful invaders and devious strategic manovers.
subham
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
i want to take agentship for government.
Account Removed
almost 4 years ago
Anyone notice that Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force/Coast Guard are NOT on the list? Those in the lowest three pay grades in the Army qualify for welfare if they have kids. They have a full-time job for cripe's sake! A full-time, dangerous, undervalued job. Several pay grades up into managerial work, I made less than 50K in a year, including all the bonuses for being deployed and in harm's way. Are you kidding me? No wonder we rely on patriotism to man the forces. No one with any sense is in it for the money.
Blanche
over 4 years ago
10 comments
Shocking results! I did not realize the pay scale for any of these positions.
feeleja
over 4 years ago
60 comments
awsome article thanks for posting it
gwhmail
over 4 years ago
2 comments
Public school teachers make very good. They have excellent retirement plans too & get educational reimbursement. Its the teachers aids that do most of the dirty work & get paid dirt too. A Chaplain can make more as he probably does more.
figman
over 4 years ago
2 comments
Just as JRoss questions the government librarian making more than border guards (as rimmer1204 states), I question a government Chaplain making more than a public school teacher.
sweetides
almost 5 years ago
154 comments
This is one of the best articles but I'd like to see a list of the top 25 non-BA jobs!!!!!!!
McConnell
almost 5 years ago
354 comments
Believe it or not, these 25 jobs have actually changed quite a bit from what they work a year ago.
Chris_Cosgriff
almost 5 years ago
16 comments
Were any of these jobs surprising?
taprilgreen
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I have to agree that the pay scale for certain job describitions/duties are questionable in this country. For an example; A nurse's salary is only 22 out of the top 25! It really questions our nation's out look on human life and it's value. And mind you, this is a government website!! What about nation-wide?? Nurses in general have poor salaries. This may be a reason there is a nursing shortage through out the country. The general population are oblivious to how poorly and unfairly the healthcare providers/care givers are treated. It is not recognized how dedicated these health professionals are and what they risk every day for themselves as well as others. What does human life mean to you?
rimmer1204
over 5 years ago
10 comments
This IS a good source to use as a benchmark during a search. I have to agree with JRoss that it is amazing to see that border guards make less than govt. librarians. Why is it that all too often, those whose job duties are the most uncomfortable (or even dangerous) make so much less than those whose job duties comfortable? Of course, the required education level has a lot to do with it, but discomfort and danger should have their own salary gradient curve.
JRoss
over 5 years ago
36 comments
Interesting - I never realized that government librarians made so much!!