Private to Fed - How much less did you make?

[Anonymous]

I work in accounting and finance at a Fortune 100 company. I have an elementary aged child, am a single mom, and am contemplating a switch to a federal position, if I can get one.

For those who have made the jump, regardless of field, please tell me how much of a paycut was it? Please also mention your field.

TIA

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this will be helpful : federal salaries are published and only you know how much you make... Anyway:

Lawyer. Was a 4th year associate making $190k or so. Went to GS 13 which was in the 80k range at the time. Had no kids and no mortgage, though I bought a house the following year with savings from my private job. Ladder to GS 14 after 1 year, and competed for GS 15 four years later although it was just luck that position came open so soon.

[Anonymous]

For IT, I went from $200K to $139K as a GS-14. Now, at $154K as GS-15.

A few things to consider:
1. Do not assume you will get the upper range of the salary tables that you can find on OPM's websites. HR usually offers at the first step and not the highest step 10.

2. For me, the benefits were much cheaper as a Fed. So that cushioned some of the salary reduction impact.

3. Make sure you have good reasons to commit to a Federal career. If you have 2 or 3 reasons for your switch, it will soften the blow of the salary impact. For me, I was burned out from IT consulting, believe in my Agency's mission, and was looking forward to being on the "deciding" side of the table.

[Anonymous]

It's really hard to compare. Factor in pension or retirement benefits, how much less you will pay for med insurance, extra earnings from per diem if you will be traveling often for a fed job, etc.

[Anonymous]

The fact that I was only working eight hours a day, five days a week right away in the federal workforce was immeasurable in terms of my "paycut." It's almost impossible to quantify your hourly wage when you make a lot of money but work 15 or 18 hours a day.

As others have said, salary tables are available on line.

[Anonymous]

Another note for your case, if you're looking to get into federal accounting - it's a lot different from private industry so while you have experience, it's not entirely relevant - which is going to impact the level you would be hired at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another note for your case, if you're looking to get into federal accounting - it's a lot different from private industry so while you have experience, it's not entirely relevant - which is going to impact the level you would be hired at.

Have you done both? Can you tell me more about the differences you see, and which you liked better?

[Anonymous]

I actually got a pay raise going to a non-appropriated financial agency in a IT position. added to the fact that I no longer have to work more than 8 hours a day, my quality of life has dramatically improved and I can devote more funds to savings/retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually got a pay raise going to a non-appropriated financial agency in a IT position. added to the fact that I no longer have to work more than 8 hours a day, my quality of life has dramatically improved and I can devote more funds to savings/retirement.

I'm similar to the previous poster. I work on the Consumer Protection side of a non-appropriated financial regulatory agency. Best deal in the federal govt. I could not find a better balance of salary/workload anywhere in the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Made the move from Consulting to federal last year, (I'm accounting/finance too) took a paycut from $100K to $90K (GS12...offered Step 1, negotiated to Step 5)....the hiring process was humbling ...in private I often got offers in a day or two...took almost 9 months and responding to 150+ announcements to get 2 offers and I had YEARS of experience. I love the work, believe in the mission, the commute is good and after a year I'll be eligible to telework and also eligible for a 13 which will put me back to my last consulting salary. Health benefits were not much cheaper but FERS and TSP will have me sitting pretty when I retire and 9 to 5 most days is divine! I also like having sick days separate from vacation days.

Just completed the CGFM and finally have the time (and energy) to focus on the CPA, it was a great move for me.

[Anonymous]

Make sure your private resume is "federalized"....I sent my 2 page resume to several feds and they said it was fine...it wasn't ...and USAJOBS is not BS or a joke, it works but you have to give the hiring managers what they want to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure your private resume is "federalized"....I sent my 2 page resume to several feds and they said it was fine...it wasn't ...and USAJOBS is not BS or a joke, it works but you have to give the hiring managers what they want to see.

How do you Federalize your resume?

[Anonymous]

^^ by using far more detail than you would for a private resume, they want short and sweet....feds are the opposite....mine went from 2 pages to almost 8, using key words from the announcement I was applying to within 2-4 paragraphs (no bullets) for each federal contracting position I held. I paid a federal resume writer.

[Anonymous]

Lawyer.

Went from $200k + bonus as a 5th year biglaw associate to $130k (with no bonus) as GS15.

Did not "federalize" my resume and I got my job through USAJobs.

[Anonymous]

Applying to 0560 series I ran into heavy veteran preference, one job I actually worked as a contractor and I was rated "best qualified" but there were 30 vets who also applied and they had to hire one of them, which is probably why you have to go after so many openings to finally snag one....