Re: Underpaid Feds?

I am not a manager. I do not have a college degree. I do have 32+ years of experience. Started as a GS-2 and worked my way up to a GS-12 (back and forth a few times when I was following my military husband). I'm now single, received no money from the marriage, and do just fine. I also have the maximum use or lose and 8 months worth of sick leave (I'm CSRS). I never whinned about my pay, but I did always raise my hand and volunteer for anything and everything. Your job is what you make of it. Make something of it!!! OR, better yet, join your kids in private industry.

Re: Underpaid Feds?

No one should "Whine" about their pay. If they don't like it do someting about it. Bottom line is there is a ton of money available that should be given to hard working dedicated people. I retired form the military, and NEVER complained about the pay, but if one dod not et promoted despite being a good performer, then you'd hear the moaning from the deckplates! That is how it is.

Re: Proverty Level

The article is pretty clear that the information is from the Department of Commerce and compiled by a researcher who works for a private "think tank." The "average" for both groups are just that--an average. Regardless of what most of us may think, federal employees are much better off than most American workers who are paying our salaries and benefits. No doubt, many federal employees in high cost areas do not feel like they are rich; there are still millions of Americans who see our average salaries are are hot under the collar when they read how their money is being spent while making much less than most of us make.

Note also that the averages are getting wider apart so the disparity between the federal workforce and the rest of the country is getting further apart. Perhaps we should, as the article states, start thinking of ourselves as Republicans since many of us are in the upper strata of personal income.

Re: Proverty Level

If the Feds are much better off than the Private Sector why does NSPS and MaxHr need the flexibility to offer recruitment and retention bonuses, as well as pay banding? Is it so that the Govt can artificially hold or put a freeze on salaries until the private sector catches up? Not sure where OPM and Administration see a problem with retention. Data can be manipulated to represent what you want to say. First rule in Statistics 101.

Re: Proverty Level

I'm with you right there a poverty level. Unlike employees at DOD I'm paying my own way through college. If I don't get a better job in the next two years I'll have to go back to the private sector.

Re: Underpaid Feds?

My wife and I could not afford the American Dream in CA, so we left and are in the DC zone. We are still only able to afford an 1100 sq ft home, a 4-year old, 20k car, and a 7-year old Chevy Suburban. We don't smoke, we don't drink, seldom go out to eat (breakfast, usually), and even as a GS-12 and with a GS-11 retirement, we are still barely making ends meet. And that's outside California, where renting is very often more costly than the exhorbitant mortgages.

Re: Underpaid Feds?

The only thing soooooooooo expensive in California, where I lived and worked until base closures forced me elsewhere, is real-estate. Try living in the "REST" of the country catagory in ANY other state where for example taxes are outrageous, gas is the highest in the country, excluding Hawaii, including taxes on food.

Re: Underpaid Feds?

Please, you still have 50 states to choose from. If you left CA thinking DC would be cheaper.......you might have wanted to save that decision for a day when your doctor didn't precribe you any smoke........

I'm in GA and have a 3,000 sq ft home with an inground pool on 3/4 acre. The house only cost me $140,000 two years ago. I left New Orleans because of Katrina and much to my surprise, there is a life after living in the "Big Easy". Now I can afford to have a house in GA and a good time in New Orleans.