Why right now is the time to hire former federal workers
Many ex-federal workers are now job hunting. Now is the time to consider these kinds of candidates that you may not have considered before.
Back to TopGiven the seriousness of their roles and the level of care it takes to do them, federal workers can be extremely beneficial to employers both within and outside the government sector. Come along as we go over the current federal worker landscape, valuable things these workers bring, benefits of hiring them and finally, why they might be willing to jump into your workforce.
Federal workforce overview
Fall 2024
Over three million people were employed by the federal government back in November 2024, of which 600,000 were U.S. Postal Service employees. Beyond that were about 1.3 million active-duty military personnel.1
Before the current year, significant pockets of federal employees included the Department of Veterans Affairs (486,000 people) and the Social Security Administration (59,000 people).1
Employers are seeking federal workers
Considering the historical size and scope of the federal workforce, it's no surprise that public and private employers are beginning to take notice, especially as opportunities arise to tap into this experienced talent pool.
Some employers, particularly states, are already trying to hire these former federal workers. There's an active campaign by the State of New York pushing former federal employees to apply for their open roles.6
Valuable things federal workers can offer
High levels of education
If you want to hire college-degree-holding talent, the former federal employee pool is a great place to look. About a third of that population has graduated with a bachelor's degree and another 22% are the proud owners of advanced degrees.1
Commitment
While the length of employment varies based on which area they work in, federal workers stay in their roles for quite a while. Specifically, "the average tenure across the entire workforce is 11.8 years"1
Affordability
It may seem like federal workers would cost a lot to hire, but that's not true! An average federal worker from 2024 made ~$106,000 per year, with just 17% making over $150,000.2 Also, plenty of blue-collar workers in the federal space made under six figures.
Transferrable skills
Many former federal jobs help workers earn skills like communication that can be transferred easily to roles outside the sector.
Availability of federal workers
Contrary to popular belief, federal workers aren't all located in Washington. The talent you need is likely available near you! Specifically, over 80% lived in other places in 2024. Some significant concentrations were situated in California, Texas and Florida.2
The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted, "Within government, federal government employment declined by 4,000 in March, following a loss of 11,000 jobs in February. Employees on paid leave or receiving ongoing severance pay are counted as employed in the establishment survey."3 That means that many former federal workers are available now, and another well of talent is potentially receiving severance and is likely open to offers!
NerdWallet supports that assertion. They said, "Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired or left since President Donald Trump’s administration began, and there are more cuts on the way."4 Voluntary and involuntary former federal workers are ready to take on new challenges.
Why federal workers may be willing to consider working outside their former sector
Accommodations
Did you know that for every five2 federal workers, one identifies as disabled? That may mean accommodations need to be made for these individuals, and if you can offer those accommodations, you could score some serious talent!
Idealogical differences
Some former federal workers have left voluntarily due to new rules or changes. This may signal a permanent change in what they are looking for in an employer. You could be that change!
Pressure
Certain agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are pushing voluntary retirement or deferred resignations.5 The pressure is weighing on people and may mean they will entertain offers.
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Whether or not your company operates in the federal space, hiring former federal workers can help you reach your recruitment goals. Are you ready to fill your pipeline with strong talent? We can help! Partner with us.
Sources and inspiration
- What the data says about federal workers
- 5 facts about the federal workforce that may surprise you
- THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- MARCH 2025
- Federal job cuts by the numbers: Will layoffs affect the economy?
- Already more than 1,000 workers down, EPA tries to convince others to depart
- Federal Workers: We Want You
- Using soft skills and hard skills to follow a non-linear career path
