Highest Paid Federal Employees

As of November 2024, Jeff Lyash, the CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), is the highest paid federal employee with a salary of $10.5 million. TVA is the largest public power provider in the United States, and its executives are paid through electricity sales.

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1. Top High-Paying Federal Jobs:Medical Officer: Medical officers can earn $300,000 or more annually. Other lucrative roles in the medical field include dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and specialized physicians.

2. Patent Administrator: The average annual salary for patent administrators is $181,592.Vessel Chief Engineer: This role offers an average annual salary of $178,925.

3. Vessel Master: Vessel masters earn an average annual salary of $178,804.Podiatrist: Podiatrists working in federal roles have an average annual salary of $176,710.

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Highest Paid Federal Employee In 2020:

• Edward Garay, VHA, Medical Officer - $464,227
• Anthony Fauci, NIH, Medical Officer - $434,312
• Gary Gibbons, NIH, Medical Officer - $422,339
• Hubert Kim, VHA, Medical Officer - $420,402
• Ali Sonel, VHA, Medical Officer - $414,426

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In 2020, 77 federal employees earned salaries exceeding that of the President, who has received $400,000 annually since 2001. Among the top 100 highest earners, 10 individuals matched the President’s salary, while 13 earned just under $400,000. The list underscores the most highly compensated federal occupation: Medical Officer. Remarkably, all 100 individuals held this title, with all but two employed by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1982, ranked second on the list. He has declined offers to serve as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) director multiple times. Dr. Gary Gibbons, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), ranked third. Kathryn Holloway, the highest-paid woman, ranked 26th.

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US Federal Employee Salary Trends

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Medical officers earn the highest average salaries in the federal government, at $269,735 annually. They are followed by securities compliance examiners ($210,689), dental officers ($202,333), administrative law judges ($192,546), and ship pilots ($183,500).

Of the 15 highest-paying federal jobs, three are in the medical field, while another three are related to patents. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) categorizes 12 of these roles as “white-collar” and three as “blue-collar.”

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White-collar jobs, as defined by the OPM, involve administrative, clerical, scientific, artistic, or technical expertise and do not require manual labor, trade, or craft skills. In contrast, blue-collar positions focus on skilled trades or manual labor. The highest-paid blue-collar jobs—ship pilot, vessel master, and vessel chief engineer—are all maritime roles. You should also read out the 2025 gs pay scale.

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Top 15 Federal Government Salaries

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Highest Paying Federal Government Jobs 2024

Here are the list of some of the best paying government jobs:

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1. Pharmacologist

• Role: A pharmacologist studies the effects of drugs on living organisms. They research, develop, and test medications.
• Salary Range: The average annual salary for a Fish and Wildlife Administrator in the US is $144,067 and is one of the highest salary Federal Government jobs. The average annual salary for a Pharmacologist in the US is $132,653 and is one of the highest paying Federal jobs.
• Agencies: Often employed by agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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2. Fish and Wildlife Administrator

• Role: Oversees the management and conservation of fish and wildlife resources. This includes tasks like habitat protection, species conservation, and enforcing regulations.
• Salary Range: The average annual salary for a Finance Manager in the US is $107,357.
• Agencies: Often employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

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3. Finance Manager

• Role: Responsible for managing financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis.
• Salary Range: The salary for a Finance Manager in the federal government can vary depending on the agency, experience, and specific responsibilities. It's a well-compensated position due to the critical nature of financial management.
• Agencies: Employed by various federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.

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4. General Attorney

• Role: Provides legal advice and representation to federal agencies. This can involve drafting legal documents, litigating cases, and negotiating contracts.
• Salary Range: Salaries for General Attorneys vary depending on experience, specialization, and the specific agency.

High-level legal positions, especially in specialized areas like intellectual property or international law, can be highly compensated. So it will be, The average annual salary for a General Attorney in the US is $115,585.

• Agencies: Employed by agencies like the Department of Justice, the State Department, and the IRS.

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5. Physicist

• Role: Conducts research in physics, including areas like quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics.
• Salary Range: The average annual salary for a Physicist in the US is $178,510 making it one of the most lucrative Federal Government jobs around.
• Agencies: Often employed by agencies like NASA, the Department of Energy, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

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What is the Average Salary For a Federal Worker?

As of November 2024, the average annual salary for a federal employee in the United States is $106,462, which is roughly $51.18 per hour.

However, this figure represents an average, and actual salaries can vary significantly based on several factors, including:  

• - **Job Position and Grade**: Higher-level roles or those requiring specialized skills and certifications typically offer higher pay.  
• - **Location**: Salaries may be adjusted to reflect the cost of living in different regions.  
• - **Experience and Qualifications**: Individuals with more experience or advanced qualifications often earn higher salaries.  
• - **Agency**: Pay scales and benefits vary across federal agencies.

Where do Federal Employees Earn the Highest Salaries?

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Federal employee salaries of highest paid government employee are often higher in areas with a high cost of living due to locality pay adjustments. These adjustments are designed to help offset the increased expenses associated with living in these regions.

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Some examples of areas where federal employees typically earn higher salaries include:  

• - **Major Metropolitan Areas**: Cities like New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles benefit from significant cost-of-living adjustments.  
• - **Specialized Agencies**: Institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NASA often offer higher pay scales, especially for roles requiring advanced expertise.

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Reach Out To Us

Your Golden Years, Your Way: Tailored Financial Solutions for Federal Employees and Retirees

Thinking About Your Federal Retirement?

As a federal employee or retiree, you’ve worked hard to serve others—now it’s time to focus on your future. Let us help you achieve the financial freedom and peace of mind you deserve.

How We Help You Thrive in Retirement

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1. Retirement Planning - We help you make the most of your retirement benefits, including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), and Social Security.

2. Comprehensive Financial Planning - Our team develops personalised financial strategies tailored to your specific needs and goals.

3. 403(b) Plan Guidance - If you’re eligible for a 403(b) plan, we guide you in selecting the right investment options, maximising employer contributions, and balancing this plan with other savings accounts to enhance growth and minimise taxes.

4. Investment Advice - We provide expert advice to help you build and manage an investment portfolio that matches your risk tolerance and financial goals.

5. Life Insurance Solutions - Navigating the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program and other policies can be daunting.

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