The federal job pays way less than the corporation. It makes sense as most of the employer are non-competitive and are there just for a paycheck. Even the GS-15 salary starts at $103,000/yr and can go up to 135,000/yr (without locality pay). To be in the higher end of GS-15, you have to be working there for forever.

If you are GS-09, and in DC area, you will make 55-60K/yr. That is like minimum wage in IT. One of my so-called friend is in Baltimore and decided to take the Federal job and started working at 50K and now is making 60K/yr after four years. I decided to go and work for the corporation and we started at the same range and now I am making around 150K with the bonus.

Guys/Gals, if you have a potential, do not work for Federal. Maybe once you are past 50 years, and you want to relax for few years before retirement not when you are in the mid-20s or 30s.