With federal layoffs looming and the announcement of optional buyouts, federal workers are in a state of transition.
New policies impacting the federal workforce are being introduced at a rapid pace and while the results of the initiatives are still unclear, between the revocation of remote work and the potential for government buyouts, it is clear that federal workers are facing a dire situation. But as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and federal agencies work to actively downsize, state and local agencies are prepared to source new hires.
GovernmentJobs.com, the nation’s largest job board specifically for state and local government roles, reports that 589,000 employees were hired by state and local government agencies through their system over the last year. Data pulled from the job site confirms that, for job-seeking federal employees, there is an abundance of meaningful work available for them in their states, cities, and local communities.
“Public service is a calling, and many federal workers will be looking for ways to continue contributing to their communities despite uncertainty about their current roles,” said Shane Evangelist, CEO of NEOGOV, the parent company of GovernmentJobs.com. “As policy changes take effect in the coming months, state and local governments are actively seeking talented, dedicated individuals to fill important positions. We hope to be the bridge that connects federal job seekers with opportunities at the state and local level as they navigate this moment of transition and create a future where service thrives at every level of government.”
States Nationwide Will Feel Impact and Provide Opportunities
California, Florida, North Carolina, Washington, and the DMV region are going to feel significant impacts as they employ some of the highest numbers of federal employees in the country. At the same time, data indicates that state and local government employees are being hired in those areas at a consistent rate.
The Congressional Research Service cites that the federal government employs more than 2 million civilians. GovernmentJobs.com data shows the comparison in the states that hold the highest number of federal jobs:
| States or Territories | Number of Federal Workers as of December 2024 | Number of State & Local Employees Hired in the Past Two Years* |
| California | 147,487 | 268,576 |
| Florida | 94,014 | 49,425 |
| North Carolina | 51,015 | 66,310 |
| Washington | 56,772 | 83,721 |
| District of Columbia / Maryland / Virginia | 449,503 | 57,427 |
*State and local hires via GovernmentJobs.com
A Resource for Job-Seekers and Public Agencies, Alike
With nearly 600,000 annual hires facilitated through GovernmentJobs.com, it’s clear that there is an opportunity for both federal job seekers to stay in their fields and state and local agencies fill their vacancies.
GovernmentJobs.com is a free tool for public sector job seekers, featuring advanced search tools, application tracking, and tailored support to help candidates find positions that match their skills and goals. For agencies, it provides direct access to 30+ million job seekers and a candidate pool of applicants committed to public sector careers.
Beginning this week—to ensure federal employees are aware of the opportunities available to them—GovernmentJobs.com is launching a nationwide initiative highlighting the stark contrast between federal downsizing and state and local needs.
For more information about available opportunities or to start your job search, visit www.GovernmentJobs.com.