Government Career Path to $100K: Clear Ladders, Real Pensions
At a Glance
Path
Federal Government (GS Scale)
Timeline to $100k
5-10 years
Education required
Bachelor's for most GS-5+ roles (some paths require less)
Starting point
GS-5 to GS-7 entry-level positions
Best for
People who value stability, clear advancement, and long-term benefits over speed
This isn't my path — but it's one of the most reliable routes to six figures that most people overlook.
Federal government jobs come with something rare in the modern economy: a pension, clear promotion ladders, job security, and salary transparency. You know exactly what you'll earn at every step, and the rules for advancement are published.
If you want predictability, benefits that compound over a career, and the ability to build wealth slowly and steadily, this might be your lane.
[Read my story: From Food Stamps to the CFO's Office →]
How Much Do Federal Government Jobs Pay?
The federal government uses the General Schedule (GS) pay system for over 70% of civilian employees. Your salary depends on two things: your GS grade (1-15) and your step within that grade (1-10).
2025 GS Base Pay (selected grades):
Grade Step 1 Step 10 Typical Roles
GS-5 $33,878 $44,042 Entry-level with bachelor's degree
GS-7 $41,966 $54,557 Entry-level with master's or experience
GS-9 $51,332 $66,731 Journey-level professional
GS-11 $62,107 $80,737 Full-performance professional
GS-12 $74,441 $96,770 Senior specialist / Team lead
GS-13 $88,520 $115,079 Senior professional / Supervisor
GS-14 $104,604 $136,012 Manager / Senior technical expert
GS-15 $123,041 $159,950 Senior manager / Director
Source: OPM General Schedule Pay Tables, 2025
Important: These are base salaries. Most federal employees also receive locality pay — a geographic adjustment that adds 16% to 45%+ depending on where you work.
Example (GS-12 Step 5):
Base pay: ~$85,000
Washington DC locality (+35%): ~$115,000
San Francisco locality (+45%): ~$123,000
"Rest of US" locality (+16.5%): ~$99,000
What Does the Federal Career Ladder Look Like?
Federal careers have built-in promotion tracks. Many jobs are advertised as "ladder positions" (e.g., GS-5/7/9/11) — meaning you automatically advance to the next grade after one year of satisfactory performance.
Rung 1: Entry ($35-55k)
GS-5 to GS-7
Administrative assistant, program assistant, junior analyst
Learning the agency, building foundational skills
Typical entry point with bachelor's degree
Rung 2: Journey-Level ($55-80k)
GS-9 to GS-11
Analyst, specialist, program coordinator
Working independently, handling your own projects
Full performance level for many professional positions
Rung 3: Senior ($80-115k)
GS-12 to GS-13
Senior analyst, team lead, supervisor
Leading projects or small teams
This is where you cross the $100k threshold in most localities
Rung 4: Management ($115-160k)
GS-14 to GS-15
Branch chief, division director, senior manager
Setting strategy, managing larger teams and budgets
Near the top of the GS scale
Beyond GS-15:
Senior Executive Service (SES): $150k-$220k+
Political appointments
Specialized pay scales (medical, legal, etc.)
What Benefits Come With Federal Jobs?
The total compensation package often exceeds comparable private sector jobs when you factor in benefits:
Retirement (FERS — Federal Employees Retirement System):
Three-part system: pension + Social Security + Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Pension formula: 1% × high-3 salary × years of service (1.1% if retiring at 62+ with 20 years)
Example: 30 years at $100k average = $30,000/year pension for life
TSP: Government matches up to 5% of your contributions — free money
Health Insurance (FEHB):
Access to dozens of plan options
Government pays 72-75% of premiums
Continues into retirement if you've had it 5+ years
Leave:
13-26 days annual leave per year (based on tenure)
13 days sick leave per year (accumulates indefinitely)
11 paid federal holidays
Job Security:
Difficult to terminate after probationary period
Reduction-in-force (RIF) protections based on tenure
Union representation in many agencies
Other:
Student loan repayment programs (some agencies)
Tuition assistance
Remote work options (expanded since 2020)
No non-compete agreements
How Do You Get a Federal Job?
The federal hiring process is different from the private sector. Understanding the system is half the battle.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS Profile
All federal jobs are posted at USAJOBS.gov. Create an account, build your profile, and upload your resume.
Step 2: Understand the Job Announcement
Federal job postings are detailed and legalistic. Pay attention to:
"This job is open to" — determines who can apply
"Qualifications" — you must meet these exactly
"How You Will Be Evaluated" — shows what they're scoring
Step 3: Tailor Your Resume
Federal resumes are different:
Longer than private sector (2-5 pages is normal)
Include month/year for all positions
Mirror keywords from the job announcement
Quantify accomplishments
Don't copy text directly from the announcement
Step 4: Complete the Assessment
Most applications require an occupational questionnaire. Answer honestly but don't undersell yourself — this is self-rated.
Step 5: Be Patient
Federal hiring takes 2-6 months on average. Some agencies are faster. Track your status in USAJOBS.
Shortcuts:
Direct Hire Authority — Some positions skip the normal process (faster)
Pathways Program — For students and recent graduates
Veterans' Preference — Veterans get priority consideration
Schedule A — Hiring authority for people with disabilities
How Long Does It Take to Make $100K in Government?
Realistic range: 5-10 years
Faster if you:
Start in a high-locality area (DC, SF, NYC)
Enter in a ladder position (GS-5/7/9/11)
Have a master's degree (can start at GS-9)
Target high-demand agencies or fields (IT, cybersecurity, contracting)
Apply for promotions across agencies
Slower if you:
Work in "Rest of US" locality areas
Stay in non-ladder positions
Don't apply for competitive promotions
Enter at lower grades without relevant education
The Math:
Enter at GS-7 with bachelor's → GS-9 (year 1) → GS-11 (year 2) → GS-12 (year 3-4)
GS-12 Step 1 in DC = ~$100,600 (2025)
Timeline to $100k: 3-5 years in a high-locality area
Is a Federal Career Right for You?
Good for people who:
Value stability over speed
Want clear rules and transparent advancement
Are planning for the long term (pension requires 5+ years to vest)
Prefer work-life balance over maximum compensation
Can tolerate bureaucracy and process
Not ideal if you:
Want to move fast and break things
Need immediate high income
Dislike paperwork, rules, and hierarchy
Want equity compensation or big bonuses
Can't wait 2-6 months for a hiring decision
Advice From People Who've Done It
"The best advice I got was to apply to everything you're remotely qualified for. It's a numbers game — you might apply to 50 jobs to get 5 referrals to get 1 interview." — Government hiring manager on r/usajobs
"Don't ignore 'remote' positions — they've exploded since COVID. You can live in a low cost-of-living area and still get DC locality pay if it's a DC-based remote job." — 12-year federal employee
"The pension doesn't feel real until you run the numbers. I'll retire at 57 with 30 years and get $45k/year for life plus Social Security plus TSP. That's when it clicked." — GS-14 planning retirement
Your First Step This Week
If you've never applied to federal jobs: Go to USAJOBS.gov, create a profile, and browse jobs in your field. Don't apply yet — just learn how the announcements are structured.
If you're ready to apply: Search for positions labeled with your target grade and "Open to the public." Read three full job announcements and note the qualifications. Build a federal-style resume that matches the keywords.
If you're already federal and stuck: Look at jobs one grade above you at other agencies. Federal-to-federal transfers are often easier than your first federal job. Apply widely.
Stop waiting. Start learning the system.
The Scot Free Take
I didn't take this path. But if I were starting over at 22 with no connections and no clear direction? I'd look hard at federal employment.
Here's why: the government publishes the rules.
In corporate America, promotions happen in closed rooms based on factors you can't see. You do great work, you wait, you hope someone notices. In the federal system, the ladder is printed. GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9 → GS-11. You know what you need to advance, and if you meet the criteria, you advance.
That's not exciting. But it's navigable.
Add a pension — an actual pension, the kind that barely exists anymore — plus job security, real benefits, and a TSP match? The math starts to make sense for a lot of people who are grinding in private sector jobs with none of that.
The trade-off is speed. You won't get rich fast in government. But you also won't get blindsided by a layoff, lose your health insurance, or watch your retirement evaporate because some executive made a bad bet.
For the right person, this path is quietly brilliant.
Just don't sleep on it because it doesn't sound glamorous. Glamour doesn't pay your pension at 57.
— Scot Free
Next blueprint: [Skilled Trades Path — Electrician, Plumber, HVAC →] (Coming Soon)