The 10 Highest Paid Government Jobs

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Government jobs recognize all federal holidays, which means a bevy of long weekends throughout the year. Additionally, government employees receive some of the best insurance plans and benefits packages around. While not all government jobs pay well – think teachers – some pay very well. Anyone considering a job with the government that offers the best options and a high salary might want to consider one of the following jobs. They may be virtually impossible to get but they’re the highest paying jobs in the government; and they offer plenty of benefit options in various official positions.

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President of the United States –  $400,000

Considering that the president has to run the country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for either four or eight years, it seems that the salary is a bit low. Of course, the job comes with a house, a car, a staff, no grocery shopping needed and even a designer wardrobe, so maybe it’s a bit high. The president’s job is one that is chosen by the people, which gives them the right to praise and complain – as most are happy to do. The president’s job includes running the country, overseeing the military and even appointing the vast majority of jobs on this list.

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Postmaster General –  $245,000

The role of Postmaster General is one that is older than the Constitution itself. The position can be held for approximately 8 years and is appointed from the service. This job title requires overseeing regulation changes both minor and major, setting postal rates and leading the US Postal Service. Because the postal service is a government-run company, anyone who works for it is exempt from working all federal holidays as well as Sundays. In addition to the obvious role, this job title requires several executive positions throughout the postal service, and it is a job that is not given to just anyone without careful consideration.

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Vice President –  $227,000

While this is a job that pays well, it’s only the third highest paying job in the US government. While it’s only natural that the president makes more, it does seem a bit strange that the postmaster general would have a higher salary than the Vice President. This position is second in command of the executive branch. The Vice President is responsible for representing the US and aiding the President in all functions and efforts both domestic and internationally. While this position is one that holds a great deal of power, the VPs vote is only needed in case of deadlock.

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Speaker of the House – $223,000

While the job lasts on average 4 to 8 years, it’s actually one that can be held forever. The job description states that the person with the title Speaker of the House need not be a member of the House of Representatives, but the US government has yet to see a Speaker who is not a member of the House. This position is an important one, because it’s is third in line to the presidency should anything ever happen to the president and vice president. This job requires speaking for the house as well as handling his party’s overall agenda.

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – $220,000

This job requires a great deal of expertise in regards to the working of the United States Military. Technically, the President of the United States is the effective commander of the military, but since he has several other job priorities, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the sort of unofficial leader of the US Armed Forces. The chairman oversees a combined panel of officials from each branch of the military. This job is one that is appointed by the President of the United States. This position is one that can be held only 8 years.

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Chief Justice of Supreme Court – $217,000

Anyone who chooses to take on a job as big as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can hold the title for a lifetime. There is no minimum or maximum time limit associated with this job. There are nine members of the Supreme Court and this one is the head of those nine members. The job basically oversees the judicial branch of government, and the person in charge of writing the opinion of the court. The chief justice is the “public face” of the court, working as spokesperson and the person in charge of creating the court’s agenda.

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Chairman of the Federal Reserve – $ 199,700

The person chosen as Chairman of the Federal Reserve has a bit of job security that’s virtually unheard of in the upper level of the government. This job lasts an average of 14 to 28 years and it takes a person with a head for numbers and an understanding of the government to make it work. The job of the Chairman of the Federal Reserve is to dictate fiscal policy. This job requires a close working relationship with the Department of the Treasury as well as the President of the United States, as it is essentially the head job in the US Banking System.

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Senate Majority Leader – $193,000

This position is one that entails a great deal of work. This Senate Majority Leader is responsible for maintaining communications between the Senate and House as well as keeping tabs on all the happenings in and around this great nation. This person is in charge of party members when it comes to dealing with issues that are associated with policy making and procedure. This is a relatively new government job, only becoming a real job in the late 20th century. Additionally, it’s a job that doesn’t have a lot of security, lasting on average 4 to 8 years.

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Secretary of the Treasury – $191,000

This position is one that is chosen by the President of the United States and can only be held for a maximum of eight years. This job is one that requires overseeing and handling the country’s finances. In addition to this, the Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for tax policies, fiscal policies, international finances, domestic finances and the formulation and management of the public debt. This job is a well-paying job, but considering the state of the economy, it might be a job many feel pays entirely too well, especially seeing as this is the person many blame for the economy.

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Secretary of State –  $186,000

The base rate for the position of Secretary of State starts at $186,000 annually. This job is not one you can apply for by sending in your resume. It’s a job that’s appointed by the President of the United States, which means you have to be an excellent candidate for the position. The position requires you oversee all state department operations as well as the CIA and foreign US embassies. The job is fourth in line for the presidency and it is a job that can only be held for a maximum term of eight years; same as the President.

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Written by Tiffany Raiford

Tiffany Raiford is a lifelong Floridian, wife to my high school sweetheart and mother of four littles (two girls and boy/girl twins...no, they are not identical and yes, I'm sure). My kids love to whine, so I love to wine. My loves include nap time, bed time, date night, travel and evenings and weekends when my husband is home because he handles all diaper changes.