If one is thinking about jumping to state employment, then look carefully at public universities.

Public universities often have more salary flexibility than local government or state agencies/ offices -- while offering same or better benefits. Some (non-teaching & non-research) staff with advanced degrees sometimes get classified as faculty - and that can open more / better retirement options.

Anonymous wrote:The two don't dove-tail well for retirement: year of service or pension.

That's my experience. But the previous poster who thinks state benefits are superior - we would like to hear more.

PP here. I didn't say the benefits were superior, just still good. It's the pay that's been superior in my experience. I definitely understand that this isn't the case everywhere though.

*In my experience*, across all the roles I've had:
--more health insurance options for feds, but my county/state plans have been perfectly adequate even if fewer to choose from and also carry into retirement
--TSP match for feds but never any kind of employer match for state/county, yet the state/county pensions are several fold higher than the measly fed civilian pension (once vested)
--salary consistently higher for me outside fed govt

The two don't dove-tail well for retirement: year of service or pension.

That's my experience. But the previous poster who thinks state benefits are superior - we would like to hear more.

I've gone back and forth between county/state govt roles and federal roles, and the state/county pay has consistently been higher than what I get as a fed. Good benefits too. YMMV but this is across multiple counties and states.

Anonymous wrote:There are a few states that come close. I considered a NY state job at a similar salary. A house in the Albany suburbs with 9 rated schools would be so much less! Then I looked closer and realized the job was in Downtown Manhattan. Nevermind, then.

When I was in law school (and very middle of the pack), the career office suggested looking at jobs in Albany and was like “you can live like a king there!” Kinda wish I’d listened.

There are a few states that come close. I considered a NY state job at a similar salary. A house in the Albany suburbs with 9 rated schools would be so much less! Then I looked closer and realized the job was in Downtown Manhattan. Nevermind, then.

I would love to leave fed gov and find something more meaningful in state or county government - or perhaps even a private sector role may be more meaningful than current fed position (at Dept of Labor). I once loved my job and was inspired by the mission. No longer. I am eligible to retire and (thankfully) would not need benefits and could live on a lower salary. Thanks for listening. I'll be working on resume this weekend!

State pay is way lower than federal pay, the only people I know who made the switch make significantly less but still have good benefits. I guess that’s what you get when you have to balance a budget on a yearly basis.

I'm a lawyer and jumped from DOJ to a state agency. I took a significant pay cut, but that was not really a concern.

I honestly don't think the skills transfer.

Three people left my fed office for state offices. Haven’t heard about comp but they like it generally

Can state do remote work?

Sounds like we don't have many who have made the jump.

I’ve been considering this as well but am concerned the state comp won’t be close enough to my current fed salary.

Curious to hear from anyone who has made to the transition from fed to state in the last year or so and what their experience has been. Exploring a move, current and potential new job are both senior leadership roles.