Current & Projected Trends

 Current Trends:

•  1 million+ non-military jobs in this cluster. 

• 22% of U.S. government employees work in administration roles.

• Digital improvements expand demand for tech skills in public service. 

Projected Trends: 

35,600+ new job openings per year projected across government careers.

Most growth expected- 

• City/Urban Planners

• Public Administration

• Policy Analysts

• Emergency Management Directors 

Median salaries in this cluster range from $20,620(legislators) to $76,890(Financial Examiners).

Cybersecurity and digital governance roles projected to grow by 32% in the public sector by 2033.

Increased funding-
Infrastructure & Public Works,
Public Health Preparedness,
Climate Resilience Planning.

News:
Hiring Freeze & Attrition-
A federal hiring freeze enacted in January 2025 had been extended twice and is now active through October 15, 2025, despite agency plans to downsize further.
Meanwhile, many agencies report increased voluntary retirements with 260,000+ departures across agencies so far, reshaping planned layoff strategies. 

Demographic shifts-
Over 30% of state and local employees are over 55, driving retirement needs.

Massive Federal Workforce Cuts-
EPA plans to eliminate its Office of Research and Development and reduce staff by 23% around 3,700 jobs saving about $748.8M as part of broader efficiency efforts.

HHS is downsizing, by a reduction of 20,000 positions, including major cuts at the FDA around 3,500 jobs and CDC around 2,400.

The Department of Education has cut its workforce by about 50% from 4,100 to 2,100 employees, as part of a major reorganization.

AI Adoption in Government-
Federal agencies are accelerating AI use across areas like tax audits, air traffic control, legal operations, and military targeting. Critics have warned of the risks of AI and public trust.