Law Enforcement
| Job | Workers (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Campus / University Police Officer SOC 33-3051 | 68,340 | $84,510 |
| State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer SOC 33-3051 | 68,340 | $84,510 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator SOC 33-3021 | 23,890 | $79,690 |
| Fish & Game Warden SOC 33-3031 | 5,450 | $74,790 |
| Crime Scene Investigator / Forensic Technician SOC 19-4092 | 5,250 | $74,090 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Fire / Arson Investigator SOC 33-2021 | 1,620 | $71,570 |
| Fire Inspector / Fire Marshal SOC 33-2021 | 1,620 | $71,570 |
| Wildland Firefighter SOC 33-2011 | 13,470 | $64,980 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Specialist SOC 11-9161 | 2,300 | $82,180 |
| 911 Dispatcher / Public Safety Telecommunicator SOC 43-5031 | 7,250 | $57,710 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Counselor / Case Manager SOC 21-1092 | 44,860 | $66,270 |
| Parole Officer SOC 21-1092 | 44,860 | $66,270 |
| Probation Officer SOC 21-1092 | 44,860 | $66,270 |
| Correctional Officer (state prison) SOC 33-3012 | 191,980 | $59,990 |
| Juvenile Corrections / Detention Officer SOC 33-3012 | 191,980 | $59,990 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Judge / Magistrate SOC 23-1023 | 13,130 | $176,500 |
| Government Attorney (agency counsel) SOC 23-1011 | 54,710 | $116,450 |
| Prosecutor / Assistant District Attorney SOC 23-1011 | 54,710 | $116,450 |
| Public Defender SOC 23-1011 | 54,710 | $116,450 |
| Administrative Law Judge / Hearing Officer SOC 23-1021 | 8,630 | $105,940 |
| Court Reporter (official) SOC 27-3092 | 3,810 | $78,300 |
| Court Officer / Bailiff SOC 33-3011 | 5,860 | $74,630 |
| Court Interpreter SOC 27-3091 | 2,770 | $74,620 |
| Judicial Law Clerk SOC 23-1012 | 7,570 | $67,340 |
| Victim Advocate SOC 21-1099 | 15,110 | $65,170 |
| Court Clerk SOC 43-4031 | 46,860 | $52,940 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor (transit / commuter rail) SOC 53-4031 | 230 | $98,790 |
| Transportation Inspector (DOT / FMCSA / FRA) SOC 53-6051 | 3,030 | $68,100 |
| Toll Collector SOC 53-6099 | 450 | $61,780 |
| Traffic Signal Technician SOC 53-6041 | 1,270 | $60,270 |
| Highway / Road Maintenance Worker (DOT) SOC 47-4051 | 38,370 | $53,100 |
| DMV Clerk / Driver License Examiner SOC 43-4031 | 46,860 | $52,940 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineer (public facilities) SOC 51-8021 | 4,320 | $72,690 |
| Fleet Mechanic (city/county) SOC 49-3031 | 4,380 | $63,460 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (government) SOC 47-2073 | 15,090 | $51,690 |
| Custodian (schools & public buildings) SOC 37-2011 | 67,750 | $39,170 |
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 Colleges & Universities
| Job | Workers (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Professor SOC 25-1199 | 61,070 | $78,630 |
| Community College Instructor SOC 25-1199 | 61,070 | $78,630 |
| Professor (public university) SOC 25-1199 | 61,070 | $78,630 |
| Academic Advisor SOC 21-1012 | 66,170 | $57,670 |
| Admissions Counselor SOC 21-1012 | 66,170 | $57,670 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 157,270 | $102,440 |
| Public Health Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 157,270 | $102,440 |
| Epidemiologist SOC 19-1041 | 4,660 | $84,430 |
| Health Inspector / Environmental Health Specialist SOC 19-2041 | 26,800 | $80,130 |
| Community Health Worker SOC 21-1094 | 3,280 | $55,780 |
| Psychiatric Technician (state hospitals) SOC 29-2053 | 18,060 | $51,530 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Child Support Officer SOC 13-1199 | 90,620 | $78,690 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor SOC 21-1015 | 15,790 | $66,510 |
| Veterans Service Officer SOC 21-1099 | 15,110 | $65,170 |
| Adult Protective Services Worker SOC 21-1021 | 77,520 | $62,430 |
| Child Protective Services (CPS) Caseworker SOC 21-1021 | 77,520 | $62,430 |
| Social Worker (government) SOC 21-1021 | 77,520 | $62,430 |
| Eligibility Worker / Benefits Specialist SOC 43-4061 | 56,330 | $50,670 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank / Financial Examiner SOC 13-2061 | 5,360 | $85,860 |
| Government Auditor SOC 13-2011 | 60,520 | $76,780 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector SOC 13-1041 | 51,140 | $68,300 |
| OSHA / Workplace Safety Inspector SOC 13-1041 | 51,140 | $68,300 |
| IRS Revenue Agent / Tax Examiner SOC 13-2081 | 19,440 | $63,610 |
| Agricultural Inspector SOC 45-2011 | 5,450 | $50,390 |
| Food Safety Inspector (USDA / state) SOC 45-2011 | 5,450 | $50,390 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| IT Specialist (government) SOC 15-1299 | 10,200 | $85,180 |
| Budget Analyst SOC 13-2031 | 9,220 | $80,840 |
| Grants Specialist / Manager SOC 13-1199 | 90,620 | $78,690 |
| Policy / Management Analyst SOC 13-1111 | 80,350 | $78,630 |
| Accountant (government) SOC 13-2011 | 60,520 | $76,780 |
| GIS Analyst / Specialist SOC 17-1021 | 590 | $76,040 |
| Contract / Procurement Specialist SOC 13-1020 | 13,320 | $70,350 |
| Public Information Officer SOC 27-3031 | 21,090 | $68,620 |
| Human Resources Specialist (government) SOC 13-1071 | 35,740 | $68,290 |
| Administrative Assistant (government) SOC 43-6014 | 118,130 | $47,900 |
| Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government) SOC 43-9061 | 170,780 | $41,220 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (DOT / city / county) SOC 17-2051 | 39,510 | $102,610 |
| Environmental Engineer SOC 17-2081 | 7,340 | $101,580 |
| Urban / City Planner SOC 19-3051 | 4,110 | $90,770 |
| Hydrologist SOC 19-2043 | 1,690 | $84,200 |
| Environmental Scientist (government) SOC 19-2041 | 26,800 | $80,130 |
| Wildlife / Fisheries Biologist SOC 19-1023 | 7,760 | $70,610 |
| Forester SOC 19-1032 | 3,690 | $69,090 |
| Soil Conservationist / Conservation Scientist SOC 19-1031 | 5,590 | $68,180 |
| Engineering Technician (DOT) SOC 17-3022 | 15,370 | $61,960 |
| Forestry Technician (USFS) SOC 19-4071 | 5,360 | $48,810 |
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 (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Park Ranger (NPS / state / county) SOC 33-9099 | 5,500 | $53,990 |
| Lifeguard (city / state beaches & pools) SOC 33-9092 | 3,480 | $44,280 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Elected & Appointed Officials
| Job | Workers (state) | Median pay (state) |
|---|---|---|
| Governor SOC 11-1011 | 9,130 | $169,420 |
| State Legislator SOC 11-1031 | 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.
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.