TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The highest-paying government jobs in America are as varied as they are significant. Although they come from diverse fields, the majority of them require certain qualifications, like academic credentials and written tests. Above all, those willing to go through specialized training programs as well as background checks may benefit from these positions’ sky-high salaries.
Based on findings by ZipRecruiter and Indeed, roles such as medical examiner, incident manager, and commissioner are among the highest-paying government jobs in the U.S. Some other roles sharing this notable reputation also include:
1. Medical Examiner - US$64,000 - US$268,500 per year
The medical examiner is the highest-paying government job in America due to the position’s intricate duties. In general, a medical examiner is responsible for determining a person’s cause of death as well as issuing their death certificates. In order to process a precise output, medical examiners are allowed to perform autopsies, including a toxicology screening test, a pathology test, and other sample evaluations.
2. Director of Regulatory Affairs - US$150,000 - US$198,000 per year
As the title suggests, the director of regulatory affairs is responsible for various law enforcement-related issues, from ensuring regulatory assessments and overseeing policy developments to administering employee training programs. Industries that commonly employ regulatory affairs professionals usually span pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, banking, and even telecommunications. To conduct a faultless directory, the positions require a bachelor’s degree, business law experience, and oral communication skills.
3. Commissioner - US$196,500 per year
With the responsibility of serving as a judicial committee member, a commissioner is undoubtedly the third-highest paying government job. In a courtroom setting, judges have the right to appoint a commissioner to act on their behalf with regard to minor cases. Back in the office, commissioners work diligently with court-related documents.
4. Incident Manager - US$129,000 - US$193,000 per year
Incident managers come from IT backgrounds whose work experiences revolve around technical issues within the company’s networks. As the leader of the IT team, an incident manager should be able to implement response procedures, including trouble identification, flagging problems, and software or hardware solutions. That’s why computer skills and IT experience are really helpful in this position.
5. Incident Response Consultant - US$140,000 - US$193,000 per year
Similarly to the previous role, incident response consultants work tirelessly to shield any incident escalation occurring within the network. When problems arise, they are responsible to investigate any breaches and provide advice accordingly. To excel in this role, one must attain a degree in IT systems, computer science, or other related fields.
6. Country Manager - US$106,000 - US$190,000 per year
Among other high-paying government jobs, a Country Manager likely spends the most time abroad, as they handle corporate relocations, international removals, financial planning, and various operational activities. Given that these roles manage diverse interpersonal responsibilities, organizations typically require a bachelor's degree, strong communication skills, and relevant work experience.
7. Police Captain - US$87,000 - US$172,500 per year
Police captains carry the responsibilities of an entire district or precinct, underscoring their pivotal duties across multiple functions. From handling crime data and allocating budget resources to acting as a first responder for the press, a police captain is required to possess strong leadership skills and valuable experience.
8. Community Development Director - US$94,500 - US$159,000 per year
Community Development Directors oversee planning and management initiatives involving specific demographic groups, such as elderly residential societies. Acting as a bridge between communities and governments, this role performs duties across key aspects within neighborhoods. To foster effective cohesion between these two environments, a Community Development Director must hold a bachelor's degree in social sciences, public administration, or education.
9. Director of Labor Relations - US$119,000 - US$156,500 per year
As one of the highest-paying government jobs, a director of labor relations should understand how neutrality works between employees and their companies. People working within the labor relations department should be able to communicate employee concerns effectively to the organization. Otherwise, both sides will spend more effort and time resolving the issues.
10. Government Affairs Director - US$110,000 - US$153,500 per year
With a staggering paycheck of US$153,500 annually, a government affairs director is certainly a lucrative career path for those having a knack for helping local communities, lobbying appropriate channels, as well as generating public support. Aside from policy developments across public issues, the government affairs director also handles legislative and administrative duties within the organization.
From law enforcement to IT and public policy, the highest-paying government jobs in the U.S. span a wide range of industries and responsibilities. While these roles often demand advanced education, specific expertise, and rigorous training, they also offer exceptional compensation and long-term career stability.
If you are still in the process of attaining academic credentials, see some of the most useful college degrees here that are able to secure these remarkable government jobs.
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