WASHINGTON (Reuters)

President-elect Donald Trump has tasked billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy with finding deep cuts in the $6 trillion federal budget. Musk has stated he aims to cut spending by 30%, while Ramaswamy has proposed firing half of the federal workforce.

How Many People Does the Government Employ?

The U.S. government employs about 2.3 million civilian workers, according to the White House personnel office. This workforce has grown 7% since 2019, as Democratic President Joe Biden's administration hired construction managers, engineers, and other experts to oversee large projects authorized by the 2022 infrastructure package, according to the Partnership for Public Service. The size of the workforce has remained steady at approximately 0.6% of the U.S. population since 2010, a smaller proportion compared to the 1960s when federal workers made up 1% of the population and over 2% in the 1940s.

Who Are These Workers?

Federal workers tend to be older, with 42.5% over 50 years old, compared to 33.2% of U.S. workers overall, according to the Partnership for Public Service. Additionally, federal workers are more educated: 54% have a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 40% of the overall U.S. workforce. About 30% of federal workers have served in the military, in contrast to 5% of the total U.S. workforce.

How Much Does Their Salary Cost Taxpayers?

The government spent $271 billion on salaries and benefits for federal workers in the 2022 fiscal year, equating to 4.3% of total spending that year. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that if government salaries matched private sector salaries, spending on wages would rise to about 10%. Lower-skilled workers without a college degree tend to earn more than their private sector counterparts, while those with degrees often earn less.

Who Do These Workers Work For?

National security-related agencies comprise roughly 70% of the civilian workforce. The largest employers include the Department of Veterans Affairs, with 487,000 workers, followed by the armed services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Justice Department.

Where Do They Live?

Federal workers are distributed across the country, with 80% residing outside the Washington region.