Which states have the most (and best-paid) federal employees?
SmartAsset evaluated the latest employment data to determine which states are most dependent on federal government employment, as well as the median income levels of federal employees in each state.
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Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP for SmartAsset
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As of September 2024, over 1.8 million people were employed by the federal government of the United States. However, the federal government is far from limited just to Washington D.C. Federal workers are dispersed throughout the nation, albeit unevenly. In turn, large layoffs—whether voluntary or involuntary—may have different consequences for different communities. States with higher rates of federal government job cuts may experience more upcoming volatility in the job and housing markets, with similar impacts depending on the income levels associated with such jobs.
With this in mind, SmartAsset evaluated the latest federal government employment data, from September 2024, to determine which states are most dependent on federal government employment, as well as the median income levels of federal employees in each state.
Key Findings
Maryland has the most federal workers per capita—and the highest paid. As of September 2024, there were 144,497 federal employees in Maryland, or 0.023 workers per state resident. The median salary for these workers is $137,624, more than any other state.
Federal workers have particularly high pay in this state. After Maryland, the highest paid federal workers reside in New Jersey, where the median salary for these workers is $119,187. Virginia is a close third with the median federal government employee earning $117,962.
Over 150,000 California residents work for the federal government. The Golden State has the most federal employees of any state at 150,679, or 0.0038 federal jobs per capita (39th nationwide). The median salary of these employees came in at $103,255.
Federal workers make less than a median household salary in this state. Ranking fifth overall for federal workers per capita at 0.012, federal employees in Wyoming have the lowest pay at a median $75,956 salary. This is lower than the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates for median household income, which was at $80,610 as of 2023.
Connecticut has the fewest federal workers. With just 7,304 federal workers, Connecticut has the lowest rate of federal job dependence at 0.002 jobs per capita. These employees earn a median of $104,510 annually.
Top 10 States With the Most Federal Workers
SmartAsset
States are ranked by the number of federal workers per capita.
Maryland
Federal workers per capita: 0.0234
Number of federal workers: 144,497
Median federal worker income: $137,624
Minimum federal worker income: $19,993
Maximum federal worker income: $519,246
State population: 6,180,253
Hawaii
Federal workers per capita: 0.0173
Number of federal workers: 24,804
Median federal worker income: $94,817
Minimum federal worker income: $26,087
Maximum federal worker income: $404,727
State population: 1,435,138
Virginia
Federal workers per capita: 0.0169
Number of federal workers: 147,358
Median federal worker income: $117,962
Minimum federal worker income: $16,074
Maximum federal worker income: $438,999
State population: 8,715,698
Alaska
Federal workers per capita: 0.0159
Number of federal workers: 11,658
Median federal worker income: $95,614
Minimum federal worker income: $31,200
Maximum federal worker income: $411,367
State population: 733,406
Wyoming
Federal workers per capita: 0.0117
Number of federal workers: 6,832
Median federal worker income: $75,956
Minimum federal worker income: $20,765
Maximum federal worker income: $375,433
State population: 584,057
New Mexico
Federal workers per capita: 0.0107
Number of federal workers: 22,695
Median federal worker income: $84,878
Minimum federal worker income: $24,814
Maximum federal worker income: $424,305
State population: 2,114,371
Oklahoma
Federal workers per capita: 0.0104
Number of federal workers: 42,212
Median federal worker income: $79,808
Minimum federal worker income: $27,485
Maximum federal worker income: $428,557
State population: 4,053,824
Montana
Federal workers per capita: 0.0100
Number of federal workers: 11,353
Median federal worker income: $77,390
Minimum federal worker income: $31,200
Maximum federal worker income: $417,156
State population: 1,132,812
Utah
Federal workers per capita: 0.0099
Number of federal workers: 33,961
Median federal worker income: $77,390
Minimum federal worker income: $25,684
Maximum federal worker income: $423,603
State population: 3,417,734
West Virginia
Federal workers per capita: 0.0098
Number of federal workers: 17,301
Median federal worker income: $91,916
Minimum federal worker income: $30,115
Maximum federal worker income: $421,679
State population: 1,770,071
Top 10 States Where Federal Workers Earn the Most
States are ranked based on the median earnings of federal employees.
Maryland
Median federal worker income: $137,624
Federal workers per capita: 0.02338
Number of federal workers: 144,497
Minimum federal worker income: $19,993
Maximum federal worker income: $519,246
State population: 6,180,253
New Jersey
Median federal worker income: $119,187
Federal workers per capita: 0.00244
Number of federal workers: 22,684
Minimum federal worker income: $26,087
Maximum federal worker income: $413,695
State population: 9,290,841
Virginia
Median federal worker income: $117,962
Federal workers per capita: 0.01691
Number of federal workers: 147,358
Minimum federal worker income: $16,074
Maximum federal worker income: $438,999
State population: 8,715,698
Rhode Island
Median federal worker income: $108,402
Federal workers per capita: 0.00785
Number of federal workers: 8,598
Minimum federal worker income: $26,087
Maximum federal worker income: $421,227
State population: 1,095,962
Massachusetts
Median federal worker income: $107,691
Federal workers per capita: 0.00367
Number of federal workers: 25,698
Minimum federal worker income: $16,074
Maximum federal worker income: $436,373
State population: 7,001,399
Colorado
Median federal worker income: $105,985
Federal workers per capita: 0.00700
Number of federal workers: 41,167
Minimum federal worker income: $31,200
Maximum federal worker income: $419,330
State population: 5,877,610
New Hampshire
Median federal worker income: $104,788
Federal workers per capita: 0.00371
Number of federal workers: 5,208
Minimum federal worker income: $31,200
Maximum federal worker income: $422,091
State population: 1,402,054
Connecticut
Median federal worker income: $104,510
Federal workers per capita: 0.00202
Number of federal workers: 7,304
Minimum federal worker income: $31,200
Maximum federal worker income: $432,551
State population: 3,617,176
California
Median federal worker income: $103,255
Federal workers per capita: 0.00387
Number of federal workers: 150,679
Minimum federal worker income: $16,074
Maximum federal worker income: $446,849
State population: 38,965,193
Ohio
Median federal worker income: $99,862
Federal workers per capita: 0.00476
Number of federal workers: 56,068
Minimum federal worker income: $25,204
Maximum federal worker income: $428,999
State population: 11,785,935
Data and Methodology
Data for federal employment comes from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as of September 2024. Per capita estimates for this SmartAsset study are based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau population estimates from the 1-Year American Community Survey for 2023.
