Ultimately, it seems, the compensation was just always lower than industry norms.
[+] I'm aware that USDS and 18F are independent branches.
Of course given the compensation and maximum length of tenure I imagine that most people are not doing it for the money.
Also, "hundreds of thousands" is a gross exaggeration. Most software engineers nationwide don't make that to begin with.
YMMV of course, but even without a clearance you are selling yourself short here.
Is it hard to believe that some are going to be hitting more than $200k above the 18F numbers?
Note that we're comparing the absolute max for GS employees to the average at Facebook.
"Some people at Facebook" is a much smaller set than "quite a few private sector jobs", which the statement GP was responding to.
Perhaps GP misread "quite a few private sector jobs" as "most private sector jobs"?
I've commented on the who's hiring thread about the US Digital Service's post. GS-15 base pay doesn't seem so bad, but drug testing, no relocation stipend (work from DC only), and no bonuses were all pretty big black marks.
Regardless of DC median wages, housing is very expensive to be reasonably close to where you'd be working onsite for 18F or USDS assignments.
Pay was about similar to Twitter (not counting sizable stock based compensation and bonuses, so of course a big pay cut all in all). Pay was significantly better than startups. When I worked at Google I was leveled quite low, so the comparison wouldn't be fair.
Zero perks (no free coffee, etc). Retirements benefits only kick in after 3 years of government service.
I definitely didn't join 18F for money. I was in for the mission and potential impact. I also liked the idea of being able to move around the country if necessary while keeping the same job.
18F's problem is that the appeal of government work is in benefits other than salary: solid health coverage, a pension, job security. But those are really only of interest if you're planning on staying there long term, and 18F's pitch has always been "take a year or two off from your real job and come work with us." It's the Peace Corps for techies, and nobody joins the Peace Corps for the retirement plan.
* Job security only for your 2 year term (unless you renew by another 2 for a max of 4 years). After that, you need to leave government service
* Health care coverage was similar to major tech companies in the Bay Area. However, vision / dental benefits were worse.
* Pension benefits only start after 3 years of government service, so most working for 18F will likely not receive these.
But I agree that for other government positions these are good perks.
If everyone’s contracts run out after 24 months, and you can’t re-hire them, of course you’ll lose 50% of employees in 12 months.