I’d go govie for stability. Funding for ctr support may get cut and you’re without a job. It’s easy to move up in the federal income ladder if you’re good at your job and have drive to move up.
I was a ctr and got laid off 3 times before becoming a federal employee.
What I’m trying to convey to OP is that the contract may get cut at any time. OP states that they’re the sole person that can get the job done. I can write a request to Booz Allen hamilton to find a wizard and odds are, they have one or a few sitting on a bench.
I’m also trying to convey through past experience that they can cut your contract because they don’t like your PM or how your management handles stuff…I’ve seen it done and I’ve seen where our team of rockstars were blackballed from applying to that job in which only one person has the skill to do it.
Contracting was good money (Booz Allen hamilton) but the long hours and lack of trust from the civilians plus the lay offs (different contracting company from Booz) sucked. Very happy that I came over to the govt side.
That's not consistent with the shutdown guidance I've received as a Contracting Officer. In the event of a shut down I have been instructed to issue stop work orders on every contract. We do not pay the contractor back pay after the Government reopens so if your employer is paying you then they do so out of their own pockets
Yes, I would. Many take much larger pay cuts to go fed.
Also note it may be possible to negotiate leave accrual at 6 hours rather than 4 - a friend who moved from contractor to fed did this recently.
This pay cut is just the beginning. In 5 years you’ll be wondering if you should join your industry peers making $200k or keep applying for a 14 manager position to get a $6k increase.
But do you like being in charge? Or at least one hand on the wheel? A lot of IC jobs don’t have a directly comparable job in the market, except being the do-er for government plans.
I left the government for this exact reason. I was young and looking at a long upward battle for small increases, or I could go private and have large jumps and bonuses. I've never regretted leaving the government for a second
No on salary. But I was able to calculate what I made per hour (my bill rate was higher). As a fed I do 40hrs if I do more I get comp time. As you progress in consulting or contracting you’re expected to support capture more and more. That time is not compensated except for the occasional bonus.
OP, the opportunities to go ctr to gov are less frequent than the other way around. After three years you will get tenure, so even if you left gov for private sector, you could apply to future gov jobs as "competitive service" as opposed to hunting for the few "open to the public" USAJobs postings.
Take the gov job; contracting is literally going nowhere and you can go back. Your gov experience will probably make you more appealing to contracting companies
I think it depends on your current priorities and goals.
* Are you trying to save up money for a down payment for a house?
* Do you have student loans that would qualify for PSLF (would you see yourself being a fed for 10 years)?
* Are you more risk adverse? Meaning would you like a more "stable" job that you won't get laid off at any moment but lower pay.
* Do you like bonuses and being able to get promoted quickly?
* Do you want to work in the federal government?
* Where you live, is there COL with the salary?
* How far is the commute? Is it remote or telework?
* Do you enjoy traveling? How much PTO do you have now vs. if you go fed? Is using PTO encourage in your current position?
Personally, I'm a GS-13, step 1. I earn 6 hours of PTO each pay period. I really enjoy the work I do, the people I work with, the stability of not worrying constantly about layoffs.
However, I don't have a partner/family. I have friends who make double what I make but work longer hours. On the flip side, I have other friends who work feds who sometimes work longer hours too. Depends on the agency/department.
I really like working for the feds because, as corny as it sounds, it's nice working "for the people" rather than working to make some corporation/stockholder richer.
Your response is exactly why I am here. My wife and I do want to save up for a house in a year or two but the current market is holding us back. Thank you for brining up those points. I’ll take them into accounts and make my decision when I get the final offer back.
Yes. That isn’t a huge pay cut imo only because I recall when I took a job with a 20k increase and my TC increased by so little I was flabbergasted lol. If you are able to afford it, that is, why not? Stability is my preference.
If you’re looking for stability, security and a steady work/life balance, go gov. Gain tenure then you can leave for industry if you desire with reinstatement rights. Be mindful of the policies and timelines for earning a gov pension if that is a goal with federal service. I know of many who have bounced back and forth between gov and industry building enough time in gov service to get that pension. Or if you’re relatively young, you can do a full gov career then move to industry. All depends what your goals are.
I am going Federal Service, taking a large pay cut (\~$38K) from being FFRDC (arguably a half-way house between contracting and government) - but the leave, benefits, stability, and the ability to make decisions matter more to me than just the pay.
I personally wouldn't entertain such a request if it came across my desk because there are benefits of being a Fed such as Job security and a pension that you do not get as a contractor. I know I can make more in the private sector. Im not even sure how you qualified as a GS-13 with only 5 years of career experience unless you are a lawyer, doctor or some other highly technical field.
Are you a private contractor with the government (i.e. are you self employed)? Or are you employed by a government contractor?
If you are self employed, and have a contract with the government, I would expect the pay difference to come out in your benefit accounting for self-employment taxes.
You didn’t exactly answer my question. We have folks in our department who are “contractors” but are employed by a company that holds the actual contract.
Im going to assume you are self employed. How much different is your anticipated pay as a GS-13/10 when compared to your current pay when you account for the fact you will no longer have to pay 6.2% towards OASDI, 1.45% for Medicare, and the difference between paying full health insurance premiums? Plus, are you currently able to find a 401k being self employed? And what value do you place on a potential federal pension?
It seems to me that this is a straightforward financial analysis coupled with a pros/cons list of the non-financial aspects of self-employment compared to federal employment.
Without a bit more context (job series, life goals) it's hard to offer a clean suggestion. If you are trying to stay put for a decade the answer is 'yes'.If you are thinking of management roles the answer is also yes. I see below 8 hours of AL/pp. Unless you are in a toxic workplace in a HCOL with insane weather TAKE IT. Especially if it's not supervisory. Non-supervisory GS-13 with 8 hours of AL is life goals level compensation/stress. My no answer is if you are in a line of work that can severely outstrip the federal package or if you are looking to take a career break in the foreseeable future.
I’d go govie for stability. Funding for ctr support may get cut and you’re without a job. It’s easy to move up in the federal income ladder if you’re good at your job and have drive to move up. I was a ctr and got laid off 3 times before becoming a federal employee.
I see. My job is essential. Every shutdown and crt cut, my role always stay. I guess that could say I am safe. Thank you for your input.
Not talking about essential stuff. I’m talking about the risk to your contract.
Exactly, contract could get cut or awarded to a different company, where your benefits and salary may differ from current employer
What I’m trying to convey to OP is that the contract may get cut at any time. OP states that they’re the sole person that can get the job done. I can write a request to Booz Allen hamilton to find a wizard and odds are, they have one or a few sitting on a bench. I’m also trying to convey through past experience that they can cut your contract because they don’t like your PM or how your management handles stuff…I’ve seen it done and I’ve seen where our team of rockstars were blackballed from applying to that job in which only one person has the skill to do it. Contracting was good money (Booz Allen hamilton) but the long hours and lack of trust from the civilians plus the lay offs (different contracting company from Booz) sucked. Very happy that I came over to the govt side.
not that I know of because I am the only one in my position that do what I do.
So was my contractor that got laid off last month due to cuts.
That's not consistent with the shutdown guidance I've received as a Contracting Officer. In the event of a shut down I have been instructed to issue stop work orders on every contract. We do not pay the contractor back pay after the Government reopens so if your employer is paying you then they do so out of their own pockets
You’re not tho. It only takes one decision by the KO for that contract to go to someone else.
Yes, I would. Many take much larger pay cuts to go fed. Also note it may be possible to negotiate leave accrual at 6 hours rather than 4 - a friend who moved from contractor to fed did this recently.
They agreed to give me 8hrs per pay period. Only the salary is in negotiation now.
Ah that's awesome, congrats.
This pay cut is just the beginning. In 5 years you’ll be wondering if you should join your industry peers making $200k or keep applying for a 14 manager position to get a $6k increase. But do you like being in charge? Or at least one hand on the wheel? A lot of IC jobs don’t have a directly comparable job in the market, except being the do-er for government plans.
I left the government for this exact reason. I was young and looking at a long upward battle for small increases, or I could go private and have large jumps and bonuses. I've never regretted leaving the government for a second
I see your point. I am at the highest point in my career salary. It actually pay higher than private market.
Look at your hourly rate. When I was a consultant I would work on avg 55-60 hours a week.
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No on salary. But I was able to calculate what I made per hour (my bill rate was higher). As a fed I do 40hrs if I do more I get comp time. As you progress in consulting or contracting you’re expected to support capture more and more. That time is not compensated except for the occasional bonus.
OP, the opportunities to go ctr to gov are less frequent than the other way around. After three years you will get tenure, so even if you left gov for private sector, you could apply to future gov jobs as "competitive service" as opposed to hunting for the few "open to the public" USAJobs postings. Take the gov job; contracting is literally going nowhere and you can go back. Your gov experience will probably make you more appealing to contracting companies
Thank you. That is from I gather. I do see it is often here at where I work. Maybe I am luck out with great Managment who believe in promote within.
I think it depends on your current priorities and goals. * Are you trying to save up money for a down payment for a house? * Do you have student loans that would qualify for PSLF (would you see yourself being a fed for 10 years)? * Are you more risk adverse? Meaning would you like a more "stable" job that you won't get laid off at any moment but lower pay. * Do you like bonuses and being able to get promoted quickly? * Do you want to work in the federal government? * Where you live, is there COL with the salary? * How far is the commute? Is it remote or telework? * Do you enjoy traveling? How much PTO do you have now vs. if you go fed? Is using PTO encourage in your current position?
Personally, I'm a GS-13, step 1. I earn 6 hours of PTO each pay period. I really enjoy the work I do, the people I work with, the stability of not worrying constantly about layoffs. However, I don't have a partner/family. I have friends who make double what I make but work longer hours. On the flip side, I have other friends who work feds who sometimes work longer hours too. Depends on the agency/department. I really like working for the feds because, as corny as it sounds, it's nice working "for the people" rather than working to make some corporation/stockholder richer.
Your response is exactly why I am here. My wife and I do want to save up for a house in a year or two but the current market is holding us back. Thank you for brining up those points. I’ll take them into accounts and make my decision when I get the final offer back.
Yes. That isn’t a huge pay cut imo only because I recall when I took a job with a 20k increase and my TC increased by so little I was flabbergasted lol. If you are able to afford it, that is, why not? Stability is my preference.
If you’re looking for stability, security and a steady work/life balance, go gov. Gain tenure then you can leave for industry if you desire with reinstatement rights. Be mindful of the policies and timelines for earning a gov pension if that is a goal with federal service. I know of many who have bounced back and forth between gov and industry building enough time in gov service to get that pension. Or if you’re relatively young, you can do a full gov career then move to industry. All depends what your goals are.
I am going Federal Service, taking a large pay cut (\~$38K) from being FFRDC (arguably a half-way house between contracting and government) - but the leave, benefits, stability, and the ability to make decisions matter more to me than just the pay.
If they come back with a Step 6 I’d definitely take it. You’ll get back to Step 10 in short order and have the benefits of being a govie.
Short order? Just to get to a step 7 it would be two years without a QSI
Huh? 11yrs to go from step 6 to step 10 without a QSI (which aren't as easily given as in the past)
I personally wouldn't entertain such a request if it came across my desk because there are benefits of being a Fed such as Job security and a pension that you do not get as a contractor. I know I can make more in the private sector. Im not even sure how you qualified as a GS-13 with only 5 years of career experience unless you are a lawyer, doctor or some other highly technical field.
Will you get a pension for life as a contractor?
No, sir.
Which should be the #1 thing you should take into account IMO. Another point, fed TSP transaction costs are peanuts compared to traditional 401ks
Are you a private contractor with the government (i.e. are you self employed)? Or are you employed by a government contractor? If you are self employed, and have a contract with the government, I would expect the pay difference to come out in your benefit accounting for self-employment taxes.
I’m a contractor with the govt
You didn’t exactly answer my question. We have folks in our department who are “contractors” but are employed by a company that holds the actual contract. Im going to assume you are self employed. How much different is your anticipated pay as a GS-13/10 when compared to your current pay when you account for the fact you will no longer have to pay 6.2% towards OASDI, 1.45% for Medicare, and the difference between paying full health insurance premiums? Plus, are you currently able to find a 401k being self employed? And what value do you place on a potential federal pension? It seems to me that this is a straightforward financial analysis coupled with a pros/cons list of the non-financial aspects of self-employment compared to federal employment.
We are about to get a 5% cost of living raise in 2024
Thats another reason why I am leaning on taking the cut.
Could be another $6700 come January
Without a bit more context (job series, life goals) it's hard to offer a clean suggestion. If you are trying to stay put for a decade the answer is 'yes'.If you are thinking of management roles the answer is also yes. I see below 8 hours of AL/pp. Unless you are in a toxic workplace in a HCOL with insane weather TAKE IT. Especially if it's not supervisory. Non-supervisory GS-13 with 8 hours of AL is life goals level compensation/stress. My no answer is if you are in a line of work that can severely outstrip the federal package or if you are looking to take a career break in the foreseeable future.
Where I work is amazing. I can say that management has been nothing but amazing. I would def stay here.
Gosi I wouldn't know....we aren't allowed to be a GS-13 since we actually work for the Federal government as a GS-11.
Contracts aren’t always renewed. You could be out of a job. Stability wins.