Government Competitive Advantage

Government agencies can attract mission-driven tech talent by emphasizing meaningful work, career growth, and unique benefits.

The Pay Landscape for Tech Roles

In general, private sector base salaries, especially in big tech, will exceed public sector salaries for digital and technology roles. Some government agencies, such as the Veterans Affairs Administration, are working to reduce that gap. Despite this gap, federal, state, and local governments offer compelling career opportunities due to their unique compensation packages, as detailed below.

Government benefits and compensation offerings:

• Workplace flexibilities (telework, flexible schedules, and stable work hours)

• Opportunities to serve the public interest

• Meaningful and impactful project work at scale

• Career growth / development opportunities

• Job Security

• Paid vacation, personal, and sick leave

• Highly competitive health insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision)

• Robust retirement plans

• Recruitment incentive bonuses (for hard to fill roles)

• Year-end bonuses for exceptional performance

• In some cases, student loan repayment and forgiveness

Attracting Mission Driven Candidates

Many private sector tech employees have demonstrated a willingness to prioritize mission driven work over base compensation. There is an interest and willingness to join government organizations that are actively engaged in meaningful, impactful work and are able to offer a compelling value proposition. Highlighting and socializing the full range of offerings beyond salary/base pay should be a best practice across all levels of government.