Although pay scales vary widely from state to state and city to city, they generally range below federal levels. Those in IT, financial management, and high-demand services like medicine and nursing can find excellent local opportunities. Working for state and local governments has its pluses and negatives, many employees say. One of the drawbacks is the tendency of state governments to tighten the spending purse when it comes to real wage increases. Another 10 percent work for public colleges and universities and private, nonprofit organizations.
Federal employees make up one percent of the union.
Peeling Back the Red Tape Spurred by low unemployment and aggressive recruiting by the private sector, government agencies have been streamlining their cumbersome job information and application processes. All in all, it might be worthwhile to broaden your job search and examine government opportunities. A quick comparison of what you could earn at a government job with a similar one in the private sector might surprise you. Don't forget to compare the benefits, and consider the overall stability of your employer. According to Joe Cowart, government careers are very satisfying because you're doing something important, whether you're working for the environment, food programs, research, or simply helping to make government run better.