Last Updated on August 21, 2021
Federal Government Jobs in the United States – There are different jobs people can apply for in the United States of America. Most of these jobs are in healthcare, real estate and development, education and information technology.
Despite the avalanche of job opportunities offered by the aforementioned sectors, there are many federal government job openings in the United States. The federal government fills nearly 90,000 jobs each year, not counting the military or United States postal Service.
Many people believe applying for a federal job is a difficult and complicated process, but it is actually very achievable. To be successful, you must apply only for jobs for which you are truly qualified by using a targeted federal-style resume, and, of course, you must also be patient.
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Federal Government Jobs in the United States
Here’s a rundown of the 10 best paying federal government jobs in the United States. These jobs are open to all Americans, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or origin.
1. Securities compliance examiner: Average annual pay: $181,013
A single financial fraud “can destroy a company, devastate families by wiping out their life savings, or cost investors billions of dollars,” says the FBI. With such high stakes, security compliance examiners are paid top dollar to uncover financial scams for the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The examiners conduct audits on individuals and companies in the banking, trading, and investment industries — and they’ve busted frauds in the electronics, food and entertainment businesses, too.
Security compliance examiners hold bachelor’s degrees in finance or accounting, must have several years of experience, and may be certified public accountants.
2. Patent attorney: Average annual pay: $170,079
Patent attorneys are experts in the fundamentals of patent law. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employs these lawyers to develop public policies, create proposals to change patent laws and contribute their expertise to trade agreements.
Patent lawyers need to be able to understand technical subjects and explain them in depth. To become a patent lawyer, you must have a law degree and several years of working as an apprentice to an experienced patent attorney.
3. Nurse anesthetist: Average annual pay: $167,818
Nurse anesthetists, also known as CRNAs (short for “certified registered nurse anesthetists”), are nurses who administer anesthesia. They’re among the highest-earning nurses in the field.
“Understanding laboratory results, ventilator settings, (and) EKG interpretation are just the tip of the iceberg,” says Kris Rohde, president of the Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Successful CRNAs also must also know the causes and signs of diseases and injuries.
CRNAs have master’s degrees focusing on anesthesia, plus they receive extensive clinical training and must pass a national certification exam.
4. Administrative law judge: Average annual pay: $163,113
Administrative law judges handle claims against government programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid or the Social Security Administration.
They work across many agencies, from the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
These specialized judges are licensed attorneys with at least seven years’ experience practicing law.
5. Patent administrator: Average annual pay: $161,308
Patent administrators are the other side of invention.
“An invention is a type of intellectual property,” writes government economist Tamara Dillon. “If an invention has not been publicly disclosed or recorded as unique, it might be eligible for legal protection in the form of a patent.”
Patent administrators take care of the complex paperwork, processing and filing of patent applications. They also ensure that patent laws are followed, and they conduct legal research.
Patent admins usually need bachelor’s degrees plus knowledge of engineering or related subjects, for reviewing technical patent applications.
6. Technical systems program manager: Average annual pay: $153,430
These technical experts oversee aviation safety programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), making sure safety standards are met by the nation’s airports.
Technical systems program managers often coordinate the work of civil engineers, environmental specialists, financial specialists and others who plan and implement airport technical systems and safety features.
To enter one of these positions, you need at least one year of specialized experience in airport planning, airport engineering or a related field.
While this definitely isn’t a 9 to 5 job, the hard work pays off
7. General mathematician/statistician: Average annual pay: $153,214
The U.S. government hires mathematicians and statisticians across the board, for agencies as varied as the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the FBI.
These experts may identify trends and conduct Census data analysis. The math experts hired by the FBI often work as special agents around the world.
Mathematicians and statisticians need at least a bachelor’s degree to get hired by the government. Those going to work for the FBI require extra training at the bureau’s prestigious training academy at Quantico, Virginia.
8. Chief engineer: Average annual pay: $150,803
Chief engineers work primarily for NOAA — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — overseeing electronic systems, maintenance, supplies and engineering personnel aboard the agency’s research and survey ships.
The ships take part in international studies, oceanic research and even diplomacy. In 2016, NOAA research vessel Nancy Foster was the first U.S. government ship to visit Cuba in decades — and chief engineer Tim Olsen was among the first to see the Havana shoreline.
Chief engineers are second in command after the captain, and they hold bachelor’s degrees in marine engineering, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering.
9. Astronomy and space scientist: Average annual pay: $141,981
The life of a government astronomer or space scientist is described this way by Derrick Pitts, planetarium director and NASA solar system ambassador at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia: “Eat. Breathe. Do science. Sleep later.”
They work on the cutting edge of space research, creating new planetary maps and supporting space missions.
NOAA (the federal agency that includes the National Weather Service), NASA and the National Science Foundation are among the agencies that hire astronomers and space scientists.
The government requires astronomers to have at least bachelor’s degrees in physics, engineering, math or related sciences. Federal astronomers working for NASA earn the most, making an average just under $162,000 a year.
10. Program manager: Average annual pay: $141,595
Program managers work in departments all across the government, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Energy.
They usually oversee multiple projects at once, and their job is to make sure that all the pieces come together to accomplish the federal government’s long-term goals.
The IRS is the largest employer of program managers — but the best-paid PMs Work for the Environmental Protection Agency and earn $170,680 a year.
Government program managers usually have a bachelor’s degree and project management experience in a related field, plus good leadership and communication skills, says PayScale.com.
How to Apply for Federal Government Jobs in the United States
Here is a step on how to apply for a job with the U.S. Federal Government. In these steps on how to apply for federal government jobs, we’ll provide you with a list of the requirements you need to apply for a job. This will increase your chances of a successful job applicant.
Although the federal government does not require a standard application form for most jobs, it does need certain information to assess your qualifications and determine if you are eligible for federal employment. If your resume or application does not contain all of the information requested in the job posting, you risk losing your consideration for the position. Help speed up the selection process by keeping your resume or application short and submitting only requested materials. Type or print clearly in dark ink.
In addition to the specific information requested in the job offer, your CV or application must contain the job announcement number, and title and grade(s) of the job you are applying for. All of this information will be listed in the job announcement.
Personal information:
- Full name, mailing address (with ZIP Code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)
- Social Security Number
- Country of Citizenship (Most jobs require US citizenship.)
- Veterans’ preference information
- Reinstatement eligibility (If requested, attach form SF 50)
- Highest Federal civilian job grade heldif any. (Also state job series and dates held.)
Education:
- High School (School’s name and address, date of diploma or GED)
- Colleges or universities (School’s name and address, Majors, Type and year of degrees, or credits and hours earned.)- Send a copy of your transcript only if the job announcement calls for it.
Work experience:
- Supply the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job you are applying for:
- Job title (include series and grade if federal job)
- Duties and accomplishments
- Employer’s name and address
- Supervisor’s name and phone number
- Starting and ending dates (month and year)
- Hours worked per week
- Highest salary earned
- Indicate if the hiring agency may contact your current supervisor
Other Job-Related Qualifications
- Job-related training courses (title and year)
- Job-related skills, for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed
- Job-related certificates and licenses (current only)
- Job-related honors, awards and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards.
Please Note:
- Do not submit multiple applications for the same job. It automatically disqualifies you.
- Ensure your names are spelt correctly.
- Furthermore, ensure that your height and weight are almost correct.
- Confirm that your grades are as accurate as they are on your certificates.
- Ensure that dates of your work experience and graduation are correct.
- Finally, have someone re-confirm entered information before submitting.
Do you have any questions on how to apply for federal government jobs in the United States? We would love to attend to them. If there is anything we omitted, you could also share it with us using the comment box below.