I heard that government workers on average make more than their private sector counterparts, but there probably is the issue of now you have to live in a more expensive area as you say.
I'd always heard that too, but that's not been my experience.
Some examples. The person that went to DC? I know where that device is going, and the exact location because I was offered a chance to interview there. It's way up north. 60k a year. The only good thing about that is you're not able to spend it. He was also offered 60k a year to live in the beltway to do the job at this facility. Both are government.
I was offered the chance to interview for some RADAR station out on an atoll in the middle of fucking nowhere. I think the Marshall Islands...60k a year. The NWS job paid the most, it was closer to 70k - not enough to live in the beltway. A guy I worked with recently left his company to go work for a government entity as an IT professional. Paid less, but had a little better benefits. That was his plus, being able to take care of his kids without breaking the bank.
The most I've ever been offered was 80k on a contract to go work the old Hawk Missiles, doing repairs (the missle console in the Six Million Dollar Man.) Reason: I know both vacuum electronics and digital electronics. Not many people out there like me that aren't 80. They offered 80k on contract, no bennies. I told them that was not a valid number.
Just for comparison, the jobs I mentioned first probably pay about 65k minimum in nowhere, Ohio.
Marshall Islands would be a cool experience but I don't think I'd like being so far a way from everyone I know long term.
That Hawk Missile thing sounds cool, and I have no idea about pay in this field, but 80k sounds low for the incredibly niche knowledge you're stating they required.
If I were 21, yeah...the Marshall Islands would be a good gig for a couple years. It's like a job I checked out about 5 years ago - a tech on one of Woods Hole's research ships. Out from when the weather got nice to right before winter. If I was young, that would be super cool. Not now.
The Hawk Missile stuff would have been cool, but yes - maybe double that with a bonus and we'll talk. I assume they found someone that used to do it and just wanted something to do.
I should mention that guy that went to DC and myself make more than 60k in nowhere, Ohio.