Law Enforcement
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| ATF Special Agent SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| CIA Officer (intelligence) SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| DEA Special Agent SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| Deputy U.S. Marshal SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| FBI Special Agent SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| Secret Service Special Agent SOC 33-3021 | 41,630 | $118,390 |
| Border Patrol Agent SOC 33-3051 | 11,870 | $75,250 |
| CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection) SOC 33-3051 | 11,870 | $75,250 |
| Federal Police Officer (VA, Pentagon, Capitol…) SOC 33-3051 | 11,870 | $75,250 |
| ICE Deportation Officer SOC 33-3051 | 11,870 | $75,250 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Fire & Rescue
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildland Firefighter SOC 33-2011 | 7,430 | $63,270 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Emergency Communications & Management
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Specialist SOC 11-9161 | 230 | $189,950 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Corrections, Probation & Parole
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Correctional Officer (BOP) SOC 33-3012 | 14,180 | $74,630 |
| Correctional Counselor / Case Manager SOC 21-1092 | Not published | Not published |
| Probation Officer SOC 21-1092 | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Courts & Legal
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Attorney (agency counsel) SOC 23-1011 | 40,500 | $178,380 |
| Prosecutor / Assistant District Attorney SOC 23-1011 | 40,500 | $178,380 |
| Public Defender SOC 23-1011 | 40,500 | $178,380 |
| Administrative Law Judge / Hearing Officer SOC 23-1021 | 5,090 | $135,700 |
| Court Interpreter SOC 27-3091 | 370 | $106,950 |
| Judge / Magistrate SOC 23-1023 | Not published | Not published |
| Judicial Law Clerk SOC 23-1012 | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Transit & Transportation
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (FAA) SOC 53-2021 | 20,530 | $156,250 |
| Transportation Inspector (DOT / FMCSA / FRA) SOC 53-6051 | 4,490 | $131,730 |
| TSA Officer (Transportation Security) SOC 33-9093 | 45,490 | $67,200 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Public Works & Utilities
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Lineworker (public power utility) SOC 49-9051 | 1,870 | $111,900 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Public Health & Government Healthcare
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| VA Physician SOC 29-1229 | 36,140 | $291,060 |
| Correctional Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 101,140 | $121,240 |
| VA Nurse (Veterans Affairs) SOC 29-1141 | 101,140 | $121,240 |
| Epidemiologist SOC 19-1041 | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Social & Human Services
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Claims Specialist SOC 13-1031 | 46,740 | $93,660 |
| IRS Customer Service Representative SOC 43-4051 | Not published | Not published |
| Social Worker (government) SOC 21-1021 | Not published | Not published |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor SOC 21-1015 | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Inspection, Regulation & Revenue
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank / Financial Examiner SOC 13-2061 | 6,390 | $151,360 |
| Government Auditor SOC 13-2011 | 22,370 | $120,520 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector SOC 13-1041 | 68,250 | $105,500 |
| OSHA / Workplace Safety Inspector SOC 13-1041 | 68,250 | $105,500 |
| IRS Revenue Agent / Tax Examiner SOC 13-2081 | 25,930 | $64,600 |
| Agricultural Inspector SOC 45-2011 | 2,240 | $63,270 |
| Food Safety Inspector (USDA / state) SOC 45-2011 | 2,240 | $63,270 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Administration, Finance & IT
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| IT Specialist (government) SOC 15-1299 | 87,700 | $128,440 |
| Accountant (government) SOC 13-2011 | 22,370 | $120,520 |
| Policy / Management Analyst SOC 13-1111 | 76,910 | $115,920 |
| Program Analyst (federal) SOC 13-1111 | 76,910 | $115,920 |
| Public Information Officer SOC 27-3031 | 6,640 | $115,210 |
| Contract / Procurement Specialist SOC 13-1020 | 39,470 | $108,160 |
| Human Resources Specialist (government) SOC 13-1071 | 38,910 | $108,080 |
| Budget Analyst SOC 13-2031 | 12,180 | $103,380 |
| Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) SOC 13-1199 | 197,160 | $102,670 |
| Grants Specialist / Manager SOC 13-1199 | 197,160 | $102,670 |
| Administrative Assistant (government) SOC 43-6014 | 7,160 | $62,320 |
| Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government) SOC 43-9061 | 40,510 | $55,830 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Planning, Engineering & Environment
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineer SOC 17-2081 | 2,350 | $124,760 |
| Civil Engineer (DOT / city / county) SOC 17-2051 | 10,150 | $117,830 |
| Environmental Scientist (government) SOC 19-2041 | 5,400 | $116,210 |
| Hydrologist SOC 19-2043 | 1,540 | $104,770 |
| Wildlife / Fisheries Biologist SOC 19-1023 | 3,540 | $93,810 |
| Soil Conservationist / Conservation Scientist SOC 19-1031 | 6,970 | $88,610 |
| Forester SOC 19-1032 | 1,390 | $76,400 |
| Forestry Technician (USFS) SOC 19-4071 | 20,220 | $57,100 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Parks, Recreation & Libraries
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Park Ranger (NPS / state / county) SOC 33-9099 | 3,760 | $58,860 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Postal Service (USPS)
| Job | Workers (federal) | Median pay (federal) |
|---|---|---|
| Postmaster / Supervisor SOC 11-9131 | 13,810 | $96,660 |
| USPS Postal Clerk (window/distribution) SOC 43-5051 | 73,720 | $62,130 |
| USPS City Carrier (Mail Carrier) SOC 43-5052 | 328,820 | $60,550 |
| USPS Rural Carrier SOC 43-5052 | 328,820 | $60,550 |
| USPS Mail Handler / Mail Processing Clerk SOC 43-5053 | 105,200 | $58,470 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Workers and median pay are for the job's occupation code at this level of government, nationally (BLS OEWS by ownership); several jobs can share one occupation code.