Federal, State, and Local Government Employment and Wages in 2023

In 2023, the Federal, State, and Local Government industry employed over 9.8 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 2% from 2022. The annual mean wage in 2023 was $74,410, and the median wage was $64,080. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 13.7%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) held the largest number of jobs within the Federal, State, and Local Government industry, employing over 5.5 million people in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $66,610, with a median wage of $59,260. There was an increase in wage variance to the national average compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 0% to 1.7%, indicating industry wages outpaced national wage trends.

Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) accounted for a substantial employment share, with 2.1 million people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $100,770, and the median wage was $93,580. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was an increase compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 0% to 53.9%.

The sub-group of State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 2.1 million people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $68,110 and the median wage was $60,260. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 0% to 4%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Federal, State, and Local Government industry, we find that Registered Nurses had the highest annual mean wage in 2023, at $104,220, and a median wage of $99,880. The industry variance to the national average was 10.3%. Business Operations Specialists, All Other had an annual mean wage of $93,040 and a median wage of $87,530. The industry variance to the national average was 4.4%. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers had an annual mean wage of $77,110 and a median wage of $73,410. The industry variance to the national average was 0.7%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Federal, State, and Local Government industry included 0, with an annual mean wage of $0,0 and a median wage of $0,0. The industry variance to the national average was 0%. Office Clerks, General had an annual mean wage of $45,780 and a median wage of $44,620. The industry variance to the national average was 5.1%. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive had an annual mean wage of $48,320 and a median wage of $46,390. The industry variance to the national average was 6.2%.

Summary

In 2023, the Federal, State, and Local Government sector, excluding schools, hospitals, and the U.S. Postal Service, employed over 9.8 million people in the U.S., reflecting a 2% increase from 2022. The annual mean wage was $74,410, with a median wage of $64,080, 13.7% higher than the national average. The largest sub-group, Local Government (excluding schools and hospitals), employed 5.5 million people with a mean wage of $66,610. Federal Executive Branch employees earned a higher mean wage of $100,770, while State Government employees had a mean wage of $68,110. Registered Nurses were the top earners in this sector, with an annual mean wage of $104,220, while Business Operations Specialists earned $93,040. Lower-paying roles, such as Office Clerks and Secretaries, had mean wages of $45,780 and $48,320, respectively. Overall, the sector demonstrated wage growth across sub-groups and occupations, with wages generally exceeding national averages.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2023 Federal, State, and Local Government Industry Report.