In addition to Renee's comments, I found out that government salaries are comparable to private sector salaries, except there are no stock options or sign-on bonuses to collect. The pay is good and it's based on performance and years of service. Insurance and health benefits are inexpensive and provide great coverage. Private sector employees usually get one or two vacation weeks during their first year. Now some people choose to work for certain companies in the private sector because they enjoy the thrill of a competitive work environment.
Some companies provide other goodies like, gym memberships or free meals.
Both offer great opportunities, but it's up to you to identify which sector is a better fit for you. That's a question only you can answer. Don't give up on the fed before you give it a fair chance. If you want to do more than the clerical stuff, start applying for the positions that interest you. In the meantime, talk to some of your friends who work in your field in the private sector, get their feedback, and weigh all the positives and negatives.