20 High-Paying Civil Service Jobs

When exploring career options, some individuals overlook the incredible potential of civil service roles. Civil service jobs can be greatly misunderstood und thus under-utilized. Contrary to misconceptions, these positions offer substantial benefits and avenues for growth and numerous other benefits.

The true nature of civil service careers and their numerous advantages is ripe for exploration. In this article, we’ll present a list of civil servant jobs spanning various industries. If you’re curious about what are civil service jobs and if any are a good fit for you, this article has you covered.

Key Takeaways:

• Great civil service jobs include registered nurse, IT specialist, and patent attorney.

• A civil service job is employment under a government agency, whether local, state, or federal.

• Civil service jobs offer great benefits such as retirement and job security.

• Many civil service jobs offer salaries that are competitive with the private sector.

Top 20 Civil Service Jobs

Civil service jobs offer many benefits that make them much more lucrative than simply being substitutes for when you can’t secure a private sector position.

1. Registered nurse
   Average Annual salary: $63,000

   Instead of private clinics and hospitals, many healthcare professionals choose employment through the civil services sector.

   As a registered nurse, you’ll evaluate patient health concerns and provide necessary treatment.

   The variety of work environments and specializations available to you are almost as broad as in the private sector.

   For example, you could choose to work for large VA hospitals or help develop public healthcare needs.

   Nursing is also among the fastest-growing jobs in New Jersey and Tennessee.

   Requirements to become a registered nurse: Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses also must be licensed in their state of practice.

   Find Registered nurse jobs near me

2. Civil executive
   Average Annual salary: N/A

   Just as is the case in the private sector, government agencies require managers to lead employees and make decisions, and civil executive can be one of the best civil service jobs for enacting change.

   Your duties will include managing civil employees, communicating with the public, and evaluating civil processes.

   All government agencies need civil executives, whether they focus on legal, administrative, or technological industries.

   Chief executives are among the fastest-growing jobs in Massachusetts.

   Requirements to become a civil executive: Civil executives should have leadership experience in either the public or private sector. Civil executive positions vary, some roles are appointed by elected officials, while others are elected. In either case, civil executives need convincing qualifications.

3. Intelligence analyst
   Average Annual salary: $74,000

   Intelligence analysts are responsible for gathering international information and data, and they’re members of one of the most crucial civil servant jobs.

   You’ll create and present data reports to help inform decision-makers while they communicate and work with other countries in matters of economics and politics.

   Requirements to become an intelligence analyst: Intelligence analysts receive entry-level training and might receive certifications such as Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA), Certified System Security Professional (CSSP), Intelligence Fundamentals Professional Certification (IFPC), or Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP).

   They might also need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field such as computer science, programming, or intelligence studies.

   Find Intelligence analyst jobs near me

4. Law enforcement officer (LEO)
   Average Annual salary: $37,000

   Almost all law enforcement officers are public-sector employees, and this career is one of the most well-known civil service job examples.

   As an LEO, you’ll be responsible for learning and enforcing local, state, and federal laws in your community.

   There are many different roles, such as:

   • Local police officer

   • County sheriff

   • Criminal investigator

   • Detective

   • Civil Prosecutor

   Requirements to become a law enforcement officer: To become a law enforcement officer, you may need to attend a training academy and couple this with tertiary education. 46.8% of law enforcement officers have a bachelor’s degree, while 9.2% of law enforcement officers have master’s degrees.

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5. Elementary school teacher
   Average Annual salary: $49,000

   Elementary school teachers are tasked with the crucial role of educating the youth of the country, and it numbers on the list of civil servants jobs with the greatest impact on shaping the future.

   You’ll create, plan, and teach educational material to kids between kindergarten and fifth grade.

   Most elementary school teachers are primary school educators, teaching general forms of education. You can also choose to specialize in specific areas such as special education.

   Requirements to become an elementary school teacher: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

   While each state has its licensure requirements, most require a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Applicants must have at least two years of teaching experience and passed a competency test.

   Find Elementary school teacher jobs near me

6. Administrative assistant
   Average Annual salary: $33,000

   Administrative assistants support other civil service workers in their assigned department and are typically responsible for three primary duties:

   • Employee record-keeping

   • Hiring other civil service employees

   • Labor management

   Requirements to become an administrative assistant: 46.9% of administrative assistants have a bachelor’s degree and 4.3% have a master’s degree. Even though most administrative assistants have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

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7. Information technology (IT) specialist
   Average Annual salary: $74,000

   Information technology specialists are responsible for the maintenance of technical tools and systems, as well as evaluating and maintaining security needs, and this is one of the best civil servant jobs for tech savvy people.

   There are a variety of specializations available, ranging from providing general troubleshooting assistance to other civil service workers to implementing new systems and procedures for maximizing confidentiality.

   Requirements to become an information technology specialist: We’ve determined that 56.6% of information technology specialists have a bachelor’s degree and 8.4% have a master’s degree.

   Even though most information technology specialists have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED, though you will need extensive experience with relevant technology.

   Find Information technology jobs near me

8. Finance analyst
   Average Annual salary: $72,000

   The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employs financial analysts to aid financial investigations and evaluate civil tax needs.

   All other government agencies also require financial analysts to make sure that their various departments are operating within budget and advise leaders in financial matters.

   Requirements to become a finance analyst: Financial analysts typically must have a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is often required for advanced positions.

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9. Chief engineer
   Average Annual salary: $96,000

   Your particular duties as chief engineer will depend on the agency you work for, as well as whatever particular project you’re assigned to.

   For example, chief engineers who work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are responsible for overseeing supplies, maintenance, and electronic systems aboard research and survey ships.

   Job-seekers first obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or marine engineering.

   Engineering is one of the highest-paid fields in Phoenix, Arizona.

   Requirements to become a chief engineer: To earn the role of chief engineer, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or a related field. However, a master’s degree or extensive experience leading or supervising a team may improve your job prospects.

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10. General statistician/Mathematician Statistician
    Average Annual salary: $69,000

    Statisticians are required across every public agency to analyze data and inform key decisions.

    The variety of work available to you is extremely wide.

    You could choose to lend your skills to the Food Safety and Inspection Service to perform predictive analysis of food safety data.

    Or perhaps you could work with the national census to identify interesting trends.

    To work as a mathematician or statistician for the government, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree. If you’re applying for the FBI, you’ll need to obtain extra training at their academy in Quantico, Virginia.

    Statistician is among the fastest-growing careers in New York.

    Requirements to become a mathematician/statistician: Most mathematical statisticians have a bachelor’s or a master’s in mathematics, statistics, or a related field and should be proficient at computing, statistical analyses, mathematical modeling, and the visual representation of quantitative information.

    Find General statistician/mathematician jobs near me

11. Nurse anesthetist
    Average Annual salary: $176,000

    Also known as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), nurse anesthetists are nurses who administer anesthesia, another nursing position that answers the question “is a nurse a civil servant?”.

    In addition to obtaining a master’s degree in anesthesia, you’ll need to pass a national certification exam and finish extensive clinical training.

    The Veteran’s Health Administration employs most federal nurse anesthetists, assigning them duties such as understanding laboratory results and ventilator settings on top of administering anesthesia.

    Anesthesiology is also the highest paying career in Louisiana and Texas.

    Requirements to become a nurse anesthetist: Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the specialty roles. APRNs must also be licensed registered nurses in their state and pass a national certification exam.

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12. Patent attorney
    Average Annual salary: $96,000

    The United States Patent and Trademark Office employs patent attorneys for tasks such as:

    • Developing public policy

    • Creating proposals to improve patent laws

    • Using their expertise to contribute to trade agreements

    Patent attorneys must hold a law degree, understand the fine details of patent law, and be able to explain technical subjects in depth.

    Requirements to become a patent attorney: Admission to law requires a bachelor’s degree and successfully clearing the LSAT. Furthermore, they are required to pass the Bar exam to successfully qualify as a lawyer. Most employers prefer patent attorneys to have prior work experience as well.

    Find Patent attorney jobs near me

13. Patent administrator
    Average Annual salary: N/A

    Drawing from the expertise of patent attorneys, patent administrators are the professionals who directly assess, process, and file patent applications, and this is another common avenue for civil servant jobs.

    Rather than holding a background in law, patent administrators tend to specialize in engineering or related subjects that enable them to review technical patent documents.

    Requirements to become a patent administrator: Patent administrators should have a degree in engineering or some other relevant field. It is also possible to become a patent administrator without a degree, but that would require extensive relevant work experience.

14. Securities compliance examiner
    Average Annual salary: N/A

    Securities compliance examiners, most commonly employed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) thus falling under the civil service sector, ensure that companies comply with guidelines and regulations.

    After the 2008 financial crisis, banking, trading, and investment companies have become the main focus of these professionals.

    However, they also audit and investigate fraud in other industries such as food, electronics, and entertainment.

    Requirements to become a securities compliance examiners: A bachelor’s degree is likely needed to be a securities compliance examiner. Securities compliance examiners typically obtain their roles through a background in finance and accounting. The most common previous career for these individuals is certified public accountant (CPA).

15. Program manager
    Average Annual salary: $93,000

    Program managers oversee projects to make sure that they’re successful in meeting their goals.

    This includes tasks such as ensuring that projects operate within budget, deadlines are met, and leaders are effective.

    All government agencies hire program managers. However, the most common employers are the Department of Energy and United States Customs and Border Protection.

    Requirements to become a program manager: 66.5% of program managers have a bachelor’s degree and 19.5% of program managers have master’s degrees. Leadership and project management experience are also sought.

    Find Program manager jobs near me

16. Astronomy and Space sciences director
    Average Annual salary: $142,000

    The primary government employers of astronomy and space scientists are NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation.

    Your duties will vary depending on the agency, department, and project. A few of these include creating planetary maps, supporting space missions, and contributing to cutting-edge space research.

    You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in physics, math, or a related field.

    Requirements to become an astronomy and space sciences director: Most employers require their space sciences directors to have bachelor’s degrees at the very least. American space sciences director commonly major in chemistry, biology, or physics. Because this is such a high-skill position, many of them spend more time establishing their expertise by pursuing doctorates.

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17. Chemist
    Average Annual salary: $60,000

    There is always high demand for both organic and inorganic chemists in federal agencies relating to public health and environmental protection.

    You’ll conduct quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis to identify everything from chemical contaminants in food supplies to the government.

    There are also positions for chemists in agencies such as the Secret Service to conduct forensic research.

    Requirements to become a chemist: Chemists and materials scientists need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field. However, a master’s degree or Ph.D. is required for many research jobs.

    Find Chemist jobs near me

18. Software Engineer
    Average Annual salary: $86,000

    Software engineers design, develop, and test all manners of computer applications for local, state, and government governments.

    This could be something as simple as a website for your county’s new public health program to complex systems-level software for aerospace or military applications.

    In addition to working with new software, you may also be tasked with transitioning or decommissioning old systems.

    Most government software is decades old. Although they may still be functional, they often require software engineers to create new cybersecurity protocols to protect information confidentiality.

    To pursue this role, you’ll typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject.

    Software engineer is among the fastest-growing jobs in Louisiana.

    Requirements to become a software engineer: Even though they use a wide range of study, typically software engineers only require a Bachelor’s degree, although a Master’s degree is appealing to most employers. 73.5% of software engineers have a bachelor’s degree and 19.9% have master’s degrees.

    Find Software Engineer jobs near me

19. Technical systems program manager
    Average Annual salary: N/A

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employs technical systems program managers to ensure that the nation’s airports follow all safety standards.

    These professionals coordinate with financial specialists and civil engineers, among others, to implement airport security standards and make sure that existing procedures are being practiced.

    Requirements to become a technical systems program manager: For most positions, at least a bachelor’s degree will be needed, with a strong preference for a master’s degree.

20. Administrative law judge
    Average Annual salary: $69,000

    These professionals are responsible for handling claims against government programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security, an important civil service job for ensuring citizens’ needs are met.

    You can pursue employment across a variety of agencies, from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to the Office of Medicare Hearings.

    Administrative law judge is a highly specialized role and requires licensed attorneys to hold more than seven years of experience practicing law.

    Requirements to become an administrative law judge: Most states require their judges to have a college diploma, at least. Judges commonly hold specialized degrees in Law, Criminal Justice, Legal Research, and Advanced Professional Studies.

    Because this is such a high-skill job, many candidates take more time to establish their expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree or Doctorate in those fields. Judges typically must have a law degree and work experience as a lawyer as well.

    Find Administrative law judge jobs near me

What are civil service jobs?

When someone refers to a civil service job, they’re describing employment under a government agency, whether local, state, or federal.

The variety of civil service jobs available is almost as wide as in the private sector. No matter your background or specialization, there is likely a civil service job out there for you.

This includes jobs that most individuals don’t associate with the public sector, such as accountants, software engineers, and public relations professionals.

Civil service jobs offer many benefits that make them much more lucrative than simply being substitutes for when you can’t secure a private sector position.

These include the typical:

• Healthcare insurance

• Paid time off

• Retirement funding

More uniquely, civil service jobs offer:

• Job security. Public service jobs are among the most secure work environments you could work at.

  Compared to working for a private company, such jobs are much less affected during economic downturns and are less prone to downsizing.

  There also exist many more rules that protect civil servants from sudden termination and generous severance packages when termination actually occurs.

• Competitive salary. Unless you’re planning to work for an industry-leading company, a civil service job is likely to pay you just about as much as you would have earned in the private sector.

  Salaries for civil-service jobs aren’t just competitive, but often come with transparent systems for receiving raises.

  These systems typically use “steps,” which are raises based on how long you’ve worked for a particular government agency.

• Ease of applying. While there doesn’t exist a central source for local and state agencies, the USAJOBs website conveniently shows you all current federal job openings along with their job descriptions and application process.

  Each agency has its own standardized job application process. This consistency means you know exactly what to expect during the application process, allowing you to prepare appropriately.

Civil servant jobs FAQ

1. What jobs can you get with a civil service exam?

   The civil service exam opens doors to a wide range of professions across government sectors. From administrative roles to law enforcement, healthcare, and engineering, the exam paves the way for positions like police officers, administrative assistants, healthcare administrators, and more.

2. What are civil service jobs and how do they differ from private sector roles?

   Civil service jobs are positions within government organizations that focus on providing essential public services. These roles offer stability, competitive benefits, and a sense of purpose. While private sector jobs often prioritize profit, civil service roles emphasize public welfare and community development.

3. What are the highest paying civil service jobs?

   Civil service jobs encompass a variety of well-paying options. Some of the highest paying positions include roles such as judges, top-level executives in government agencies, engineering managers, IT directors, and medical specialists. These roles not only offer financial rewards but also a chance to make a significant impact on society.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.