Updated 15 June 2025. Government careers in 2025 combine six-figure pay, bleeding-edge tech and the mission-driven culture many private-sector workers miss.
This guide covers the most in-demand roles, what they pay, and the smartest way to get hired this year.
Top 10 Government Jobs for 2025
Click a title to jump to its mini-profile, or open the full guide we wrote for each role.
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Government Attorney
- VA Physician
- Statistician
- Economist
- Computer Scientist
- Budget Analyst
- Police Officer (Federal & Local)
- Patent Attorney
- Security Engineer
1. Cybersecurity Specialist
Why it’s hot → DHS, NSA and DoD still run a 22 % talent gap.
Defend national networks and qualify for $25 k hiring bonuses.
Pay range: about $133 k average; senior roles approach $195 k under DHS’s Cyber Excepted Service chart.
- Core certs: Security+, CISSP, CCSP
- Main agencies: DHS, NSA, DOE labs
- Full cybersecurity guide ↗
2. Government Attorney
Shape policy, litigate headline-making cases and tap Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Pay range: $84 k–$108 k entry; up to the $195 ,100 cap with locality for senior AD grades.
- Fast track: DOJ Honors, SEC SK pay bands
- Full attorney guide ↗
3. VA Physician
Serve nine million veterans in America’s largest integrated health system.
Pay range: $145 k–$295 k depending on specialty; up to $200 k in student-debt repayment.
- Leave: 26 vacation days + 13 CME
- Full VA physician guide ↗
4. Statistician
Turn raw data into policy at Census, CDC and BLS.
Pay range: $84 k–$155 k (GS-11 → GS-15) before locality; nationwide median ≈ $103 k.
- Skills: R/Python, survey design
- Full statistician guide ↗
5. Economist
Advise Congress and Treasury on fiscal policy and growth.
Pay range: $115 k median; PhD economists reach $155 k–$205 k with locality.
- Hot desks: CBO, Federal Reserve, Treasury OFR
- Full economist guide ↗
6. Computer Scientist
Drive federal AI, quantum and open-data projects.
Pay range: $117 k–$183 k (GS-13 → GS-15) plus cyber retention incentives up to 25 %.
- Projects: AI Gov Cloud, Quantum Networks
- Full computer-scientist guide ↗
7. Budget Analyst
Steward billions in taxpayer dollars and brief Congressional staff.
Pay range: $68 k–$122 k (GS-9 → GS-13) before locality; median $87 ,930.
- Series code: GS-0560
- Full budget-analyst guide ↗
8. Police Officer (Federal & Local)
Maintain public safety from city streets to national parks.
Pay range: $77 k median; federal LEO special-rate tables add ~23 % in major metros.
- Academies: FLETC, Quantico
- Full police-officer guide ↗
9. Patent Attorney (USPTO)
Protect inventions and enjoy near-full telework.
Pay range: $84 k–$183 k (GS-11 → GS-15) with senior SL slots topping $200 k.
- Must-have: USPTO registration (patent bar)
- Full patent-attorney guide ↗
10. Security Engineer
Design physical and network safeguards for labs, embassies and SCIFs.
Pay range: $92 k–$155 k (GS-12 → GS-14) plus critical-skills incentives.
- Certs: PSP, CPP, CCNP-Security
- Full security-engineer guide ↗
How We Rank the “Best” Government Jobs
- Salary & total comp. Special pay, bonuses, loan repayment.
- Mission impact. Safety, health, tech, economic stability.
- Work-life balance. 44 days average leave in year 1; wide telework.
- Career trajectory. Clear ladders, paid training, tuition aid.
- Location flexibility. Remote-eligible agencies expand options.
Where to Find Openings
- USAJOBS.gov — save searches and get email alerts.
- Agency portals — DHS Cyber Talent Hub, DOJ OARM, VA Careers.
- State & local boards — include union contracts and pay steps.
- Contractors — Booz Allen, Leidos, SAIC post billet-to-fed roles.
- Special hiring paths — Schedule A, Veterans’ Preference.
- First time? Our USAJOBS application walkthrough ↗ shows every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-paid federal job in 2025?
Executive Schedule Level I caps at $239 ,900, but certain SL/ST technical roles can top $250 k with retention allowances.
Are federal benefits really better than tech-company perks?
Yes.
FEHB averages a 72 % government contribution, the TSP matches 5 %, and there’s still a FERS pension—few private employers offer that mix.
How long does hiring take?
Plan on 90–120 days from vacancy close to start.
Direct-hire cyber and medical postings can cut that to 30–45 days.
Can I work fully remote?
Roughly one in five federal vacancies lists “telework eligible.” USPTO, GSA and Census lead with near-full remote options.