The Majority of Public Sector Jobs are In Your Backyard
When people hear "public sector jobs," they often think of the federal government. Washington DC. Three-letter agencies. The White House.
But the real story of government employment is much closer to home.
Federal employment has barely budged in 60 years
Federal jobs have remained remarkably stable over the past six decades, hovering around 3 million employees. Whether through recessions, expansions, or changes in administration, that number stays consistent. And with recent reductions in force and ongoing restructuring, it's unclear where federal employment will land.
But when we talk about public sector jobs at GovSkills, we mean something much bigger.
Local government has more than doubled
Over that same 60-year period, local government jobs have more than doubled, growing from around 7 million in 1970 to over 15 million today. New York City's government alone employs approximately 330,000 people, which is more than most state governments.
To put this in perspective: 6 in 10 public sector jobs are at the local level. That's your city, your county, your town.
About half of local government jobs are in education – teachers, administrators, counselors, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and all the support staff that keep schools running. These positions took a significant hit during the pandemic when schools closed, but they remain the backbone of local government employment.
Even with education accounting for such a large share, the remaining local government jobs still outnumber state and federal positions combined.
The jobs you never think about
Beyond schools, local governments employ people in roles most of us never consider:
Veterinarians treat animals at county shelters. Forensic scientists analyze evidence in crime labs and accountants manage municipal budgets. City and county planners help envision and shape future city growth. Recreation, arts, culture and library professionals enhance community life.
Then there are the behind-the-scenes roles:
Public works directors managing sewer systems and snow removal
Park rangers maintaining green spaces
Economic development directors working to bring new businesses and jobs to your downtown
Transit operators driving the buses you see every day
Records clerks preserving everything from property deeds to marriage certificates
The variety is staggering. Public agencies need employees with all kinds of talents, skills and occupational interests.
Why this matters
The majority of public sector work happens in your backyard. And that's where most of the hiring challenges are too. We're working directly with local government HR teams to build tools that actually work for the reality they face every day.