SAN MATEO (04/18/2000) - With the booming economy bringing in record tax revenue, a federal government career looks like a safe bet. Still, government IT workers make less money than their private-sector counterparts, but on average, they work fewer hours.
Industry statistics
Gross Domestic Product:
$8.11 trillion, national total
$324.9 million, federal government sectorIT Salaries and numbersAverage IT salary:
$69,491 national average
$58,045 government average
Most common bonuses:
Annual personal performance
Profit sharing
Completion of major project
Average length of IT professionals' experience in the industry: 8.5 yearsAverage weekly IT hours worked:
48.4 hours, national average
45.0 hours, government industry average
Percent of IT professionals in the industry who are on call:
63.4%, national average
54.5%, government industry average
Top motivation factors for IT professionals in the industry:
Compensation (including benefits)
Satisfaction of helping the organizationWorking with cutting-edge technologyLevel of education in the industry:
Associate's degree - 13.9%
Bachelor's degree - 44.1%
Master's degree - 30.9%
Web resources
FedWorld Information Network - www.fedworld.govThis site serves as an all-encompassing portal for federal government information. Visitors can browse federal job databases, search government documents, or explore links to government agencies and commissions.
USA Jobs - www.usajobs.opm.gov
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management maintains the federal government's official site for jobs and employment information. Current job openings can be searched by category and geographical area.
National Technical Information Service - www.ntis.govBilling itself as "The Central Resource for Government Information," this site contains a massive array of scientific, technical, engineering, and business information.
SOURCES: 1999 INFOWORLD COMPENSATION SURVEY, U.S. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS.