#30 · AL · 35 · Compensation & Offers

Federal vs. Private Sector
Total Comp Comparator

Compare apples-to-apples: GS locality salary, FERS pension NPV, FEHB, TSP match, and leave value against private cash, equity, 401k, and benefits. The pension calculation alone often reverses the headline gap.

OPM 2026 GS Pay Tables · FEHB 2025 Premiums · BLS OEWS 2024
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Educational Tool — Not Financial or Legal Advice

This comparator uses embedded approximations of federal pay scales and benefits. Individual results depend on your specific agency, leave category, TSP contribution level, health plan choice, FERS retirement tier (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE), and other factors. Pension NPV uses simplified assumptions. Consult your HR office, OPM guidance, and a fee-only financial planner before making employment decisions.

Sources: OPM 2026 GS Pay Tables · OPM FEHB 2025 · BLS OEWS 2024 · IRS Publication 575
GS Grade & Locality
Service & Retirement
Used for FERS pension accrual rate (1% × years × high-3)
Age 62+ with 5 yrs = 1% multiplier; some exceptions at 60/62
FEHB Coverage
Self Only
Govt pays ~$9,200/yr
Self + Family
Govt pays ~$18,500/yr
Compensation
As % of base; enter 0 if none
RSU/option grant annualized; enter 0 if none
Benefits
Annual employer-paid premium
e.g., 4 = employer matches 4% of salary
Salary % up to which match applies
Leave
PTO only; does not include federal holidays
Total Annual Compensation Snapshot
Federal Total Annual
—
Base + FEHB + TSP + Leave
Private Total Annual
—
Cash + Equity + Benefits + Leave
Annual Gap (Fed − Priv)
—
Excluding pension NPV
—
FERS Pension — Net Present Value (20-yr payout @ 3% discount)
—
—
Component-by-Component Breakdown
Component Federal Private Delta (Fed − Priv)
Lifetime Value Including Pension NPV
Metric Federal Private Equivalent Delta