Federal government
Executive-branch agencies, the courts, and the U.S. Postal Service.
$87,670
median pay · 2.8 million workers
State government
State agencies, state police, prisons, courts and public universities.
$66,750
median pay · 4.8 million workers
Local government
Counties, cities, townships, school districts and special districts such as transit and water authorities.
$60,830
median pay · 15.1 million workers
Median annual wage and employment across all occupations at each level of government.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.