Discover 5 Surprising Facts About the Federal Workforce That Everyone Should Know!

Donald Trump is focused on cutting the federal workforce during his recent term. He has expressed distrust toward federal workers, claiming they are “crooked” and “unnecessary.” However, Rob Shriver, a former official at the Office of Personnel Management, argues that this portrayal is unfair. He explains that federal employees are dedicated to improving government services for Americans, regardless of the administration in power.

So, who are these government employees? They come from diverse backgrounds and various roles. For instance, a typical federal worker might be a Customs and Border Protection officer in Texas, a nurse at a VA clinic in Pittsburgh, or a programmer in Georgia.

Recently, the Office of Management and Budget instructed agencies to downsize. This could mean layoffs and changes in union agreements aimed at boosting “efficiency.” The plan involves replacing four terminated employees with just one new hire.

While it’s too soon to see the complete impact of Trump’s executive orders on the size of the federal workforce, it’s notable that the federal employment numbers have remained relatively stable since the late 1960s, typically hovering between 1.8 and 2.4 million workers.

Here are some interesting facts about U.S. federal employees as of September 2024:

Where Federal Workers Live

Most federal employees don’t work in Washington, D.C. While around 454,000 are in that area, over 80% live in other parts of the U.S. or abroad. For example, California has about 151,000 federal workers, and Texas has around 131,000. Some less populated states, like North Dakota and Wyoming, have about 5,700 and 6,800 federal workers, respectively.

Federal offices are present across the country, offering support in fields like agriculture, healthcare, and more.

Largest Federal Employer

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employs about 483,000 people, making it the largest federal employer. This is more than double the staff at the next biggest agency, the Department of Homeland Security. A significant number of VA workers are women, and around 46% of them are involved in healthcare roles.

Outside the VA, the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Navy also employ many people, depending on the state.

Veterans in the Workforce

About 25% of federal workers are veterans. This number greatly surpasses the 5% veteran rate in the overall civilian workforce. Most veterans work for the VA, the Defense Department, and other agencies, with a significant number taking roles in various federal departments.

The hiring preference for veterans in the federal workforce likely plays a role in this overrepresentation.

Disability Representation

Roughly 531,000 federal employees have self-identified disabilities, which is about 22% of the federal workforce. The average salary for these workers is around $95,000, higher than the national average for people with disabilities.

Salaries of Federal Workers

In 2024, the average federal worker made about $106,000. However, many earn less; over half earn less than $100,000. For instance, blue-collar workers average around $70,000, while white-collar workers average $110,000. Notably, gender pay gaps exist as men typically earn about $7,000 more than women, and minority groups tend to average lower than their white counterparts.

Federal workers generally stay in their jobs longer compared to those in the private sector, with an average tenure of just under 12 years. This may be due to job security, benefits, and the desire to serve the public. Many choose government work out of a commitment to making a difference.