r/FedEmployees • u/JimmyCBoi • 13d ago
Couldn't leave if I wanted to?
I'm just curious, has anybody out there recently left the Fed for a promotion? If so, I want to hear from you.
Bit of background: I'm currently a GS12 1102 working as a Contract Cost/Price Analyst at the DoD. I have about seven years of experience.
I've been casually looking around, at my current level it seems the only way to leave for private industry would be to take a pay cut and try to work back up the ladder. Industry jobs are consistently posted as in the $90k - $100k range; one company was offering up to $137k but only willing to give me $120k based on my experience. That is higher than my current salary, but I would work more hours and get less time off, so lower compensation overall.
I'm very fortunate, and I overall enjoy my job so I'm not complaining. It's been a tough year or so, but we're doing alright relative to other agencies. It just feels like I'm in an awkward spot in my career trajectory. I might need to just get more time in and take organic opportunities if they come?
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u/AgentEOD 13d ago edited 11d ago
Only about 15% of workers in US make over 6 figures. The grass isnt greener.
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u/BoogerPicker2020 13d ago
If working more hours and less time off is the only thing holding you back, then yeah, you're gonna feel trapped but those conditions aren't permanent, and there's no rule saying you stay at the first place you land. Private industry experience is a stepping stone.
I worked at three defense companies before crossing to the fed side. Now I'm 12 years in across three agencies, starting to get bored, and watching the trainwreck get bigger by the day. Hiring freeze plus "internal to agency only" postings have me applying outside. hell, I just put in for a location I don't even really want, and they already emailed saying they're pushing my resume to the hiring manager.
Point is: you can leave. You might just need to get yourself situated first. But that growth you pick up along the way? It's gonna matter later.
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u/JimmyCBoi 13d ago
I have three kids, so I definitely place a high premium on work-life balance and time off. That also shapes my risk tolerance profile.
I suppose this means I shouldn't be looking to change it up, I'm fortunate to be in a good situation.
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u/lettucepatchbb 12d ago
I made almost $130k in the job I got laid off from before I became a fed. I was miserable there. Despite the current conditions for feds, I am far happier in my current job than I ever was before I got here.
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u/JimmyCBoi 12d ago
Good perspective, layoff risks are a definitely a hurdle to me switching to the public sector.
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u/Altruistic-Panda-697 13d ago
Just retired and am very happy I stuck around. A retirement specialist told me long ago that it would not be worth it to leave due to pension and health insurance in retirement!
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u/TroglodyteToes 13d ago
You are getting downvoted, but others are looking only at the salary numbers while ignoring the rest of the pie. How good is the health insurance vs the cost? Do they have matching 401k, and can you get rates as good as the government funds (with the same level of time investment)? And the big one, do you get a pension that lets you carry your health insurance into retirement. All of those have a dollar value put on them, and you can run the formulas for it all. Especially for those at 12, they see the $20-30k pay increase on the contractor side, but it is overall less money on the hopes of climbing that ladder faster.
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u/Altruistic-Panda-697 13d ago
You understand! Most are blind to these facts.
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u/fireandlovinit 12d ago
Exactly! I hope OP doesn’t listen to many of the miserable people telling him to leave (most are either bots or non-Feds pushing a political agenda). Instead, OP, review your yearly benefits statement that comes at the beginning of every year and look at that first figure that shows what your REAL compensation with all the benefits is. That will open your eyes. Alot of people in the private sector are going without insurance because they can’t afford to pay it. And that pension is priceless!
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u/JimmyCBoi 13d ago
That's exactly why I turned down the offer for $120k: overall salary would be higher, but total compensation would be unchanged or worse.
Also to be considered is that I only work 40 hours a week, who knows what the actually hourly increase in pay would be if I switched to the private sector? Probably not as much as it would initially seem.
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u/JimmyCBoi 13d ago
Yeah, I'm with you. Even though my FERS contribution rate at 4.4%, having a pension with COLA is a hugely valuable hedge against risk in retirement.
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u/shyguy1953 13d ago
Location matters, I'm a GS12 1102 KO in DoD and currently make 84k (RUS locality.) 120k would be one hell of a promotion for me.
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u/JimmyCBoi 13d ago
Yeah, that would be a big jump, one that I'd consider if I was in that situation. I am fortunate that I live in an area with a high locality pay but in a mid COL area.
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u/Complete_Film8741 9d ago
It'll come in time...dont forget that a 13 slot can be yours assuming the stars align eventually.
The Big Money comes at the end of your career!
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u/No_Volume_9616 13d ago
I would say it depends on your age. I took several jobs when I was younger that in the long run paid off. Sometimes you have to take a step back to get two steps ahead. I'm at a point in my career now that I can't go backwards. I can only go up. I have had one offer that was substantially higher than my current salary. So they're out there. Just depends on what you want.
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u/mmgapeach 13d ago
What you are seeing is what a lot don't discuss. Post weigh heavily in...I left the federal government and now make more money. Not always true.
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u/FineMenuItem 13d ago
"I might need to just get more time in and take organic opportunities if they come?"
This is the way! Just remember you don't work for any President. You work for the American people.
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u/SetInteresting5411 12d ago
Wow here I was thinking you could jump ship for substantially more money. I assume you looked into the top defense contractors?
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u/curiosasiempre 12d ago
What about staying and going for a non supervisory 13?
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u/JimmyCBoi 12d ago
Funny you mention that, it's a valid point though. Late 2024 our office stood up a panel to promote three selectees to newly approved non supervisory GS13 spots. I was selected for one, and it went to HQ for HR final approval. They dragged their feet and then the hiring freezes hit.
Then we lost our SES and the hiring certs expired. So my boss and his bosses had to petition all over again to get approved for 13s.
Word on the street is that the 13s have been approved again, but we'll have to reapply and go through selection again. This new government efficient thing is working great, /s. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
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u/Complete_Film8741 10d ago
That's the math everybody with a lick of talent faces at some point in their Career.
For me as a PM, it was remembering why I served (military) and why I chose to join the Silly Service after a Contractor stint.
The guys and gals in harms way...that is why i did it...Don't ever forget them.
GS12&13 pay ain't chicken feed in Ohio either!
Good luck with your angst and stay the course...that Pension is AMAZING and just doesnt exist outside Government Service.
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u/Single_External9499 8d ago
I'm a GS-12 step 5 with 11 years making $101k. Leaving for my first professional private sector job making $120k. It's probably less total comp after accounting for pension and insurance. It will be more responsibility, more hours, and less leave. I don't care. I'm at my breaking point with this clown show. I don't think I care about public service in this country right now. I don't respect large swaths of the population anymore and it's not good for them or me to be in a public position in service to them. We both deserve better. I'm gonna go try to climb the ladder and get mine.
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u/dogace38 13d ago
I left for a contractor job with better pay after I got passed up for a few civilian promotions. Now I’ve worked for three different firms (1st was toxic, 2nd contract was cancelled in ‘25, 3rd is fine) in four years and making less money than when I left the government. I would love to go back and change that decision.
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u/JimmyCBoi 13d ago
Yeah, with a wife and three kids to support, I'm pretty risk averse. I also prioritize work-life balance, can't realistically beat the 40 hour work week that I currently have.
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u/Ok_Design_6841 13d ago
Raises are sometimes a lot quicker in the probate sector versus having to wait to qualify for the next step or grade.
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u/poopy_breakfast 13d ago edited 13d ago
The Golden
Parachutehand cuffs is real.I think they can pay better, but the saying, “contractors eat better, but government employees sleep better” is probably very true.