Computer Science and IT Jobs in the Federal Government
There are over 65,000 computer science and information technology employees
in the federal government. They work across all federal agencies in locations
around the country.
Job Profiles
Here are examples of recent job openings. Explore more and apply now at USA Jobs.
Computer Scientist at the U.S. Department of Commerce
- Salary Range: $34,548 - $135,136 per year
- Duty Locations: Montgomery County, MD
- Agency Profile: An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology's primary mission is to promote U.S. economic growth by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards.
- Major Duties: Conduct applied research directed toward the development of software conformance test methods and tools, new software standards, and static analysis tools. Develop test and measurement tools and methods; standard reference materials of error, fault, and failure data. Program in C, C++, and Java under UNIX or Windows NT, develop parsers and testing tools, apply formal methods to develop mathematical specifications for software conformance tests.
Information Technology Specialist at the U.S. Department of Labor
- Salary Range: $48,607 - $63,185 per year
- Duty Locations: Washington, D.C.
- Agency Profile: The U.S. Department of Labor offers rewarding opportunities to contribute to a noble mission; to serve and protect American workers, prepare them for new and better jobs, and to ensure the safety and fairness of American workplaces.
- Major Duties: Provide a variety of services to administer, develop, deliver, and support the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) information technology systems and services: Work with customers to define project/task requirements. Analyze IT software and/or hardware problems and recommend possible solutions to meet customer requirements. Develop, implement, evaluate and maintain hardware and software systems. Modify current software and/or hardware or recommend new systems.
Internship AND SCHOLARSHIP Examples
The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States. It was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. Summer positions open to undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, are available at the Division of Information Technology (IT). www.federalreserve.gov/careers/default.cfm
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) designed and implemented a new Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) to improve the pipeline of undergraduate students majoring in engineering, science, mathematics, and information technology in to the NASA workforce. This stipend program consists of a 10 to 15 week research experience under the supervision of a NASA technical mentor at a NASA Center.
http://edspace.nasa.gov/text/careers/work.html
Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. This program provides scholarships that fully fund the typical costs that students pay for books, tuition, and room and board while attending an approved institution of higher learning. Additionally, participants receive stipends of up to $8,000 for undergraduate and $12,000 for graduate students. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation NSF.
https://www.sfs.opm.gov
Federal Jobs by the Numbers
Salaries for Computer Science Positions in the Federal Government
Salaries for Computer Science Employees |
Number of Full-time and Permanent (FTP) Positions |
|---|---|
$40,000-$49,000 |
179 |
$50,000-$59,000 |
387 |
$60,000-$69,000 |
535 |
$70,000-$79,000 |
630 |
$80,000-$89,000 |
813 |
$90,000-$99,000 |
948 |
$100,000-$109,000 |
745 |
$110,000-$119,000 |
573 |
Source: Fedscope 03/07
Salaries for IT Positions in the Federal Government
Salaries for Information Technology Employees |
Number of FTP Positions |
|---|---|
$40,000-$59,000 |
261 |
$60,000-$69,000 |
347 |
$70,000-$79,000 |
622 |
$80,000-$89,000 |
923 |
$90,000-$99,000 |
505 |
$100,000-$109,000 |
3,638 |
$110,000-$119,000 |
2,174 |
Source: Fedscope 03/07
Percentage of Computer Science and IT Positions by Region

Source: Fedscope 03/07
Number of Computer Science and IT Positions by Agency
Agency |
FTP Computer Science Positions | Projected Hires FY 2007-09 for Information Technology |
|---|---|---|
Department of Defense |
30,108 | 7,419 |
Department of Treasury |
7,116 | 930 |
Department of Veterans Affairs |
5,680 | - |
Social Security Admnistration |
3, 932 | *** |
Department of Agriculture |
3,803 | 407 |
Department of Commerce |
3,163 | 607 |
Department of Justice |
2,606 | 532 |
Department of the Interior |
2,494 | - |
Department of Health and Human Services |
2,433 | 318 |
Department of Transportation |
1,789 | 180 |
Department of Homeland Security |
1,562 | 406 |
General Services Administration |
843 | 162 |