What private sector salary would be equivalent to Fed salary of $150k?

[Anonymous]

49 yo Fed with 10 years of service, $150k salary. What salary in private sector would be equivalent, considering govt pension, sick leave, other benefits?

[Anonymous]

Following. I’m thinking director level at a big corporation

[Anonymous]

It depends on your actual job, agency & title. Corporations don't really have a need for someone who is a GS-15 that doesn't have transferable skills.

[Anonymous]

I read somewhere a 125k fed salary would be equivalent to a 200k contractor salary.

[Anonymous]

too broad of a question, depends on what field (IT vs HR vs Law etc makes a big difference).

[Anonymous]

I work at the Fed. The rule of thumb here is that we need to double our salary in the private sector to make up for the loss of defined benefit pension, great healthcare, and other perks.

Once you factor in sick and annual leave (and federal govt’s generous rollover policies), telecommuting, transit benefits, cheap dental and vision coverage - you get to the 2x your salary estimate.

[Anonymous]

use multiplier of 1.7- 1.8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at the Fed. The rule of thumb here is that we need to double our salary in the private sector to make up for the loss of defined benefit pension, great healthcare, and other perks.

Once you factor in sick and annual leave (and federal govt’s generous rollover policies), telecommuting, transit benefits, cheap dental and vision coverage - you get to the 2x your salary estimate.

The Federal Reserve? That is way swankier and higher paid than GS staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:too broad of a question, depends on what field (IT vs HR vs Law etc makes a big difference).

Can you elaborate on the different fields?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: 49 yo Fed with 10 years of service, $150k salary. What salary in private sector would be equivalent, considering govt pension, sick leave, other benefits?

OP here, have a PhD, currently a health scientist administrator (program management) at the NIH

[Anonymous]

You're mixing two different questions:

1) how much would you have to make in the private sector to match both your salary and the benefits of being a fed employee

2) how much would a private sector company pay for someone with your skillset/education/experience in a role you would be interested in taking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're mixing two different questions:

1) how much would you have to make in the private sector to match both your salary and the benefits of being a fed employee

2) how much would a private sector company pay for someone with your skillset/education/experience in a role you would be interested in taking

I agree. Generally, most federal employees would want to 2x their salary to make the jump worthwhile (#1), because it's not just about the immediate job, it's about the decades of career stability and potential growth ahead of you.

Unfortunately, I'm betting the answer to #2 is often less than 2x.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're mixing two different questions:

1) how much would you have to make in the private sector to match both your salary and the benefits of being a fed employee

2) how much would a private sector company pay for someone with your skillset/education/experience in a role you would be interested in taking

Nice clarification. NP here following for the response to #1. I left the fed government and regretted it even though I made a lot more $$ in the private sector. There's just no security. Am now considering whether to take a position in the government again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at the Fed. The rule of thumb here is that we need to double our salary in the private sector to make up for the loss of defined benefit pension, great healthcare, and other perks.

Once you factor in sick and annual leave (and federal govt’s generous rollover policies), telecommuting, transit benefits, cheap dental and vision coverage - you get to the 2x your salary estimate.

Not 2x but it depends greatly on the benefits offered in the private sector, which vary greatly. Our healthcare, including dental, is actually cheaper now than as a fed, but there’s no pension. Another thing to consider is you top out pretty low in the gov. While I left the fed 5 years ago for a job that paid roughly 25% more, I am now making more than double with lots of room for future growth. Everyone’s excited about Trump’s proposed 2.6% increase. That would be my raise on a horrible year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at the Fed. The rule of thumb here is that we need to double our salary in the private sector to make up for the loss of defined benefit pension, great healthcare, and other perks.

Once you factor in sick and annual leave (and federal govt’s generous rollover policies), telecommuting, transit benefits, cheap dental and vision coverage - you get to the 2x your salary estimate.

Not 2x but it depends greatly on the benefits offered in the private sector, which vary greatly. Our healthcare, including dental, is actually cheaper now than as a fed, but there’s no pension. Another thing to consider is you top out pretty low in the gov. While I left the fed 5 years ago for a job that paid roughly 25% more, I am now making more than double with lots of room for future growth. Everyone’s excited about Trump’s proposed 2.6% increase. That would be my raise on a horrible year.

Op is asking total compensation, not just salary