By The U.S. government offers you a variety of employment options, often in law enforcement, science, technology, math (STEM), engineering, and much more. In fact, it employs millions of people to ensure that the country functions efficiently.
Many job seekers find working for the government quite intriguing because of the flexibility and other advantages the government provides. Depending on your experience, skill set, and educational background, there’s a chance you may land a high-paying job.
Ultimately, improving the federal, state, and local government is the main goal of working in the public sector. You will probably find a job in the government that enables you to help people, an entity, or a group of people who cannot help themselves.
Political affairs officers, licensed nurses, auditors, compliance officers, customs officers, and federal investigators are a few examples of government career options.
Government jobs, in contrast to the private sector, also have several advantages, such as numerous advancement opportunities, high job satisfaction, outstanding work-life balance, competitive salary, and much more. With that said, let’s look at some high-paying U.S Government jobs.
1. Customs and Border Protection Officer
In the USA, there are around 328 ports of entry where customs and border protection officials are employed. They are responsible for border security, which includes managing matters related to commerce, agriculture, immigration, customs, and terrorist activities.
Additionally, they locate and stop narcotics, contraband, unlawful human trafficking, and terrorists from entering the United States.
Additionally, they carry out development-level responsibilities to defend the homeland, enable legal travel and commerce into and out of the USA, and communicate with carriers and other organizations locally and globally to advise them on compliance.
Candidates need a bachelor’s or masters in homeland security, criminal justice, law, or a related subject to work as CBP officers. Candidates must also finish the ROTC curriculum to be considered for well-paying positions.
According to ZipRecruiter, customs and border protection officers get roughly 86,259 dollars annually.
2. Federal Investigator
As the name indicates, a federal investigator’s job is to look into occurrences, crimes, and other things that fall under the federal government’s purview. To solve crimes, collaborate with state and local law enforcement officials, gather evidence, question witnesses, and make arrests.
A federal investigator may work on cases involving fraud, tax evasion, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Federal agents often work for law enforcement organizations like the border patrol. DEA, the Secret Service, and the FBI.
Aspiring applicants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in criminal justice or political science to become federal agents. Candidates must also pass a medical exam, drug test, background check, and polygraph test to be considered for this position.
Glassdoor.com states that federal investigators make around $107,000 annually. This makes it an extremely well-paying U.S Government career option.
3. Air Traffic Controller
To prevent accidents, an air traffic controller’s job is to steer pilots to safety and direct traffic in the air. They must also ensure the safety of all pilots, crew members, and passengers by clearing aircraft for departure or landing and monitoring airplanes while they are in flight.
Additionally, they coordinate aircraft arrival and departure, notify airport employees of any aircraft emergencies, give pilots weather information, use radar systems to monitor and guide aircraft, and perform various other important tasks.
To apply for an air traffic controller position, candidates must first earn a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from the ATC-CTI (Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative) program. Following that, those who have a letter of reference must take the Air Traffic Selection and Training Exam.
They must then get training at the FAA Academy. Finally, students must get experience and training after graduating from the FAA Academy before seeking employment. A potential employee also has the option to join a government airline or the air force as an air traffic controller.
4. Crisis Manager
Communication and information technology failures, pandemics, environmental dangers, financial collapses, and terrorist attacks are just a few of the crises that public authorities under the U.S. government deal with. These issues are assessed and managed by crisis managers.
Crisis managers work for government organizations and contribute to developing emergency plans that adhere to evacuation plans, safety protocols, laws, etc.
Aspiring candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in emergency management or business administration to serve as crisis managers. However, earning a master’s degree in disaster homeland security or crisis management is necessary to acquire a well-paying job and increase career prospects.
The average annual salary for a crisis management position, according to Glassdoor.com, is roughly $114,244.
5. Statistician/Mathematician
As a highly skilled mathematician or statistician, your role within the U.S. government will encompass many responsibilities. One of your primary tasks will be to analyze data and identify emerging trends meticulously.
This entails utilizing your mathematical expertise to interpret complex datasets and draw meaningful conclusions.
Within government organizations, the demand for mathematicians and statisticians is substantial. Prominent entities such as the FBI and the Food and Safety Inspection Service actively seek professionals with your skill set.
These organizations rely on your expertise to uncover patterns, provide critical insights, and support decision-making processes.
What sets your role apart within the FBI is the opportunity to serve as a special agent, not solely limited to the United States but potentially worldwide. This unique aspect of the job allows you to combine your mathematical prowess with your passion for public service on a global scale.
To qualify for positions within these esteemed government entities, a bachelor’s and master’s degree in statistics or mathematics is typically required. This educational foundation ensures you possess the necessary knowledge and analytical skills to excel in your role.
Additionally, you may be required to undergo specific training programs to enhance your field proficiency further.
As a professional statistician or mathematician, your duties extend far beyond number-crunching. You play a vital role in shaping policies, forecasting trends, and providing evidence-based recommendations. Your contributions directly impact the government’s safety, well-being, and strategic initiatives.
Final Words
Ultimately, it is incorrect to believe that working for the U.S. government makes you a bureaucrat or politician. Some of the highest-paying jobs available today are in the government, with attractive perks and rewards.
The career choices mentioned in this article will give you a glimpse of what it is like to work for the government.
We hope you learned something from this article. If you think we missed something, please tell us in the comments below.
