What is a Federal Employee's Salary?

A federal employee salary is the monetary compensation provided to individuals employed by the United States government for their dedicated service.

The concept of federal employee salaries extends beyond just a paycheck. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including base pay, locality adjustments, and various benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans, and paid time off. These salaries can vary significantly based on several factors, including the specific federal agency, job role, level of responsibility, and geographic location. In essence, federal employee salaries represent the government's investment in its workforce, and they serve as a critical driver of economic stability and prosperity across different states and regions.

States With the Highest Average Federal Worker Salaries

Curious about which states offer the highest average salaries for federal employees? Explore our analysis to discover the regions where public sector workers enjoy more lucrative compensation. Understanding these income variations is essential for federal employees considering relocation and for gaining insights into the financial dynamics of the public sector in different states. Below, we've compiled a list of states with some of the highest average federal employee salaries.

Washington

At the top of the list is Washington, where federal employees earn an average annual salary of approximately $81,000. This translates to around $6,750 per month, $1,560 per week, and an hourly wage of roughly $38.96.

New York

Following closely is New York, where federal employees earn an average annual salary of about $77,000. On a monthly basis, this equates to roughly $6,440, with a weekly salary of approximately $1,486 and an hourly wage of around $37.15.

Maryland

Maryland ranks high on the list, with federal employees earning an average annual salary of around $75,300. This translates to roughly $6,270 per month, about $1,450 per week, and an hourly wage of approximately $36.19.

Virginia

In Virginia, federal employees earn an average annual salary of approximately $75,000. On a monthly basis, this is roughly $6,250, with a weekly salary of about $1,440 and an hourly wage of around $36.07.

California

California rounds out the top five states, with federal employees earning an average annual salary of roughly $74,700. This translates to approximately $6,220 per month, about $1,436 per week, and an hourly wage of approximately $35.91.

States With the Lowest Average Federal Employee Salaries

While some states offer higher average salaries for federal employees, others have lower compensation rates. Understanding the income landscape across the United States is essential for federal workers and policymakers alike. Here's a look at states with some of the lowest average federal employee salaries:

West Virginia

Federal employees in West Virginia earn an average annual salary of approximately $55,700. This translates to around $4,642 per month, roughly $1,071 per week, and an hourly wage of about $26.78.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, federal employee salaries average around $55,600 annually, which is approximately $4,633 per month, about $1,070 per week, and an hourly wage of approximately $26.76.

Alabama

Alabama ranks among the states with lower average federal employee salaries, where workers earn an annual average of about $55,300. On a monthly basis, this equates to around $4,608, with a weekly salary of about $1,064 and an hourly wage of approximately $26.60.

Florida

Federal employees in Florida also earn an average annual salary of about $55,300. On a monthly basis, this translates to roughly $4,608, with a weekly salary of approximately $1,062 and an hourly wage of about $26.57.

Kentucky

Kentucky rounds out the list, with federal employee salaries averaging around $53,800 annually. This is approximately $4,483 per month, roughly $1,035 per week, and an hourly wage of about $25.89.

Federal Employee Salaries by State

Wondering how federal employee salaries vary across the United States? We've compiled an extensive overview of approximate annual salaries for federal workers in each state:

State

Annual Salary

Monthly Pay

Weekly Pay

Hourly Wage

Alabama

$55,300

$4,608

$1,064

$26.60

Alaska

$66,800

$5,567

$1,283

$32.10

Arizona

$65,500

$5,458

$1,259

$31.48

Arkansas

$53,000

$4,417

$1,019

$25.48

California

$74,700

$6,220

$1,436

$35.91

Colorado

$60,800

$5,067

$1,168

$29.21

Connecticut

$64,200

$5,350

$1,234

$30.85

Delaware

$74,300

$6,190

$1,428

$35.72

Florida

$55,300

$4,608

$1,062

$26.57

Georgia

$64,400

$5,367

$1,237

$30.95

Hawaii

$67,900

$5,658

$1,306

$32.65

Idaho

$64,500

$5,375

$1,240

$31.02

Illinois

$63,000

$5,250

$1,212

$30.31

Indiana

$65,500

$5,458

$1,259

$31.49

Iowa

$64,500

$5,375

$1,240

$31.02

Kansas

$57,500

$4,792

$1,105

$27.64

Kentucky

$53,800

$4,483

$1,035

$25.89

Louisiana

$55,600

$4,633

$1,070

$26.76

Maine

$68,000

$5,667

$1,308

$32.70

Maryland

$75,300

$6,270

$1,450

$36.19

Massachusetts

$70,900

$5,908

$1,363

$34.09

Michigan

$58,100

$4,842

$1,118

$27.95

Minnesota

$66,800

$5,567

$1,283

$32.09

Mississippi

$59,800

$4,983

$1,149

$28.75

Missouri

$57,800

$4,817

$1,112

$27.80

Montana

$62,800

$5,233

$1,208

$30.20

Nebraska

$68,000

$5,667

$1,308

$32.70

Nevada

$70,600

$5,883

$1,357

$33.94

New Hampshire

$64,600

$5,383

$1,243

$31.05

New Jersey

$68,500

$5,708

$1,318

$32.97

New Mexico

$62,100

$5,175

$1,194

$29.87

New York

$77,000

$6,440

$1,486

$37.15

North Carolina

$53,600

$4,467

$1,030

$25.76

North Dakota

$64,800

$5,400

$1,246

$31.14

Ohio

$62,000

$5,167

$1,192

$29.81

Oklahoma

$71,300

$5,940

$1,370

$34.27

Oregon

$68,700

$5,725

$1,320

$33.02

Pennsylvania

$64,600

$5,383

$1,243

$31.08

Rhode Island

$64,900

$5,408

$1,247

$31.19

South Carolina

$58,700

$4,892

$1,128

$28.21

South Dakota

$64,800

$5,400

$1,246

$31.16

Tennessee

$60,700

$5,058

$1,167

$29.18

Texas

$66,700

$5,558

$1,283

$32.08

Utah

$60,800

$5,067

$1,168

$29.22

Vermont

$69,400

$5,783

$1,335

$33.39

Virginia

$75,000

$6,250

$1,440

$36.07

Washington

$81,000

$6,750

$1,560

$38.96

West Virginia

$55,700

$4,642

$1,071

$26.78

Wisconsin

$68,600

$5,717

$1,319

$33.00

Wyoming

$66,000

$5,500

$1,269

$31.74

Source: ZipRecruiter

Average Federal Employee Salary by Occupation

Understanding how salaries vary not only by state but also by occupation is crucial for federal employees and those interested in compensation trends. Here, we delve into the average salaries in different states across select federal job roles, shedding light on the income disparities in the public sector.

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

  • Washington. Administrative Assistants in Washington, D.C. earn an average annual salary of approximately $58,000, with an hourly wage of about $27.88.
  • Texas. In Texas, Administrative Assistants working for the federal government receive an average annual salary of around $48,000, translating to an hourly wage of approximately $23.08.

Occupation: Information Technology Specialist

  • Virginia. Information Technology Specialists in Virginia earn an average annual salary of roughly $92,000, with an hourly wage of about $44.23.
  • Mississippi. In Mississippi, Information Technology Specialists receive an average annual salary of approximately $72,000, resulting in an hourly wage of around $34.62.

Occupation: Registered Nurse

  • California. Registered Nurses employed by the federal government in California earn an average annual salary of about $87,000, with an hourly wage of approximately $41.83.
  • Kentucky. In Kentucky, Registered Nurses have an average annual salary of around $71,000, equating to an hourly wage of about $34.13.

Occupation: Law Enforcement Officer

  • New York. Law Enforcement Officers in New York receive an average annual salary of approximately $82,000, with an hourly wage of about $39.42.
  • Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, Law Enforcement Officers earn an average annual salary of around $63,000, translating to an hourly wage of approximately $30.29.

These examples illustrate how salaries can significantly vary not only by state but also by job role within the federal government. Various factors, including geographic location, job demand, and the cost of living, contribute to these income disparities.

Average Government Worker Salary by Gender

Analyzing salary data by state and gender is essential for identifying potential compensation disparities that may exist within the federal workforce. Here, we provide insights into how average salaries vary across select states, taking into account gender differences in federal employment.

State: California

  • Male Employees. In California, male federal employees earn an average annual salary of approximately $65,000.
  • Female Employees. Female federal employees in California earn an average annual salary of around $57,000.

State: New York

  • Male Employees. Male federal workers in New York have an average annual salary of about $67,000.
  • Female Employees. Female federal employees in New York earn an average annual salary of approximately $59,000.

State: Texas

  • Male Employees. In Texas, male federal employees have an average annual salary of roughly $56,000.
  • Female Employees. Female federal workers in Texas earn an average annual salary of about $45,000.

State: Florida

  • Male Employees. Male federal employees in Florida receive an average annual salary of around $51,000.
  • Female Employees. Female federal workers in Florida earn an average annual salary of approximately $42,000.

Source: Forbes

When examining gender pay disparities in federal employment, it's essential to highlight states where the gender pay gap is most pronounced. Here's a graph showing states with the largest gender pay gaps in 2023, based on median annual earnings for male and female federal employees:

federal employee salaries chart

Can You Find Federal Employees' Salaries by Name?

Searching for federal employees' salaries by name is often a sensitive issue due to privacy and security concerns. However, there are resources available that provide transparency in federal employee compensation without disclosing individual names. Two notable sources for accessing salary information for federal employees are FedSmith and Transparent California:

FedSmith

  • Resource. FedSmith is a reputable online platform that offers a wealth of information related to federal employment, including news, analysis, and compensation data.
  • Salary Information. While FedSmith may not provide salaries by individual names, it offers comprehensive insights into federal employee compensation trends, agency-specific data, and analysis of pay and benefits within the federal workforce.
  • Useful Features. The website also includes tools and calculators for federal employees to estimate their own potential earnings based on factors such as locality pay and grade levels.

Transparent California

  • Resource. Transparent California is a public database that provides transparency into government employee salaries, including federal, state, and local workers. It covers a wide range of government agencies and positions.
  • Salary Information. While Transparent California primarily focuses on state and local government salaries, it may contain some federal employee salary data in cases where federal employees are employed by state agencies.
  • Useful Features. The platform allows users to search and access salary information based on job titles, positions, agencies, and other relevant criteria.

It's important to note that disclosing individual federal employee salaries by name is subject to privacy regulations and security concerns. Therefore, accessing such specific information may be limited. However, FedSmith and Transparent California offer valuable insights into federal employee compensation trends, which can be beneficial for understanding the broader landscape of public sector salaries.Начало формы

Financing Options for Federal and Postal Employees

Federal and postal employees often seek financing solutions to address various financial needs, and one option worth exploring is allotment loans. These loans are specifically designed to assist government workers by offering convenient repayment through payroll allotments. Here are key aspects and benefits of allotment loans for federal and postal employees:

    • Payroll Allotment. Allotment loans are unique in that they allow borrowers to repay the loan through automatic deductions from their paychecks. This streamlined repayment process ensures timely and consistent payments, reducing the risk of missed payments and late fees.
    • Lower Interest Rates. Many allotment loans come with competitive interest rates, making them an attractive financing option for federal employees. Lower interest rates can result in significant savings over the life of the loan.
    • Credit Building. For federal and postal employees looking to improve their credit scores or establish credit history, making on-time payments on an allotment loan can have a positive impact. Timely repayments are reported to credit bureaus, contributing to a stronger credit profile.
    • Online Application. Many lenders offer online application processes for allotment loans, simplifying the borrowing experience. Federal and postal employees can apply from the comfort of their homes or offices, saving time and effort.
    • Responsible Borrowing. It's essential for federal employees to borrow responsibly and consider their ability to repay the loan. Responsible borrowing ensures that the benefits of an allotment loan are fully realized without creating undue financial strain.

Federal and postal employees considering allotment loans should research reputable lenders, compare terms and rates, and carefully review loan agreements before proceeding.

Final Thoughts

Exploring federal employee salaries unveils a complex tapestry of income variations influenced by factors such as location, occupation, and demand. Federal workers occupy a diverse range of roles, from administrative assistants to law enforcement officers, and each occupation carries its unique compensation dynamics. While Washington, D.C., boasts high average salaries due to its concentration of federal agencies, states like Texas and Mississippi showcase their own compensation landscapes.

Understanding these disparities is invaluable for federal employees considering career choices, relocations, or those simply seeking equitable compensation.

Ultimately, the path to equitable federal compensation involves transparency, ongoing analysis, and a commitment to fair pay practices. As the public sector continues to evolve, understanding these income variations remains vital for both individual federal employees and the nation as a whole.