Donald Trump, set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, 2025, has outlined plans that could drastically reshape the federal government. His proposals to eliminate the Department of Education (DoE) and overhaul key agencies like the Justice Department and Health and Human Services could put more than 2.3 million federal civilian jobs at risk, according to a USAToday report. Central to these plans is the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at slashing federal spending but with potentially far-reaching consequences for the workforce.
Where do federal employees work across the US?
Contrary to popular belief, most federal workers are not based in Washington, D.C. According to the US Office of Personnel Management, only about 15% of federal employees work in the nation’s capital. The majority, approximately 85%, are scattered across the United States, working in diverse roles that include postal workers, civil engineers, and TSA agents.
These workers are predominantly represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a union comprising 750,000 federal employees according to official figures. Around 56% of federal workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements, many of which include remote work protections, a contentious point in Trump’s plans.
In December, Trump reinforced his return-to-office mandate, warning that workers who refuse to comply could face termination. He criticized a recent AFGE contract that extended remote work protections through 2029, stating his administration would take legal action if necessary.
Govt efficiency and DOGE: A much debated approach to ‘efficiency’
The Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, is tasked with streamlining federal operations. Trump claims that DOGE will collaborate with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to implement “large-scale structural reform.”
Musk, who initially suggested he could cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, later tempered his estimate, calling it a ‘best-case scenario’. One proposed outcome is a drastic reduction in the number of federal agencies, from over 440 to just 99. However, critics argue that such sweeping changes would create significant challenges, including unexpected costs and logistical hurdles.
While DOGE’s influence is limited, Congress controls federal spending, the rhetoric surrounding these proposals has unsettled government workers nationwide.
Which are the high-paying federal roles, projected to be at risk
Under DOGE, some of the highest-paying federal roles face particular scrutiny. In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Musk and Ramaswamy outlined their goal of reducing government headcount and spending, which could disproportionately impact specialized roles with lucrative salaries.
According to data from the US Office of Personnel Management, the top five highest-paying federal roles as of March 2024 include:
- Medical Officers: 38,007 employees with an average salary of $282,317
- Securities Compliance Examiners: 441 employees earning $218,845 on average
- Dental Officers: 2,270 employees averaging $212,516 annually
- Administrative Law Judges: 1,506 employees with an average salary of $201,336
- Podiatrists: 890 employees earning $192,767
These positions, requiring specialized skills and advanced education, are vital to the federal workforce but have become prime targets for downsizing as part of cost-cutting efforts, suggest media reports.
Uncertainty looms for federal workers
Trump’s plans, while ambitious, face significant hurdles. Legislative approval, union opposition, and logistical complexities could stall or limit the proposed changes. However, the increasing rhetoric around streamlining the government has already created a climate of uncertainty for millions of federal workers. For now, the future of DOGE and its impact on the federal workforce remains unclear, but the stakes for civil servants across the country couldn’t be higher.
