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<p>I can’t comment on all defense sector jobs (which isn’t exactly “government jobs”), but I was offered the following out of undergrad:</p>
<ul>
<li>$80,000/year</li>
<li>$10,000/year for tuition assistance</li>
<li>28 days of vacation</li>
<li>35-40 hour work weeks</li>
<li>flex work schedule</li>
<li>military differential pay during mobilization and training (usually you’ll be able to pick up another $15,000-30,000 per year through regular drill pay as well as double dipping).</li>
</ul>
<p>This is for the Baltimore area. Based on cost/standard of living, I would only have accepted jobs in NYC, etc. for at least $160,000 per year guaranteed and chances are I would still be working far more and have far less vacation days in a career field that was not conducive for me to develop my National Guard/Reserve career.</p>
<p>In short, if you plan correctly and play your cards right, you should be able to net yourself excellent private sector pay, have enough time to enjoy it, and hedge that against a federal retirement.</p>