Though often difficult to obtain, government jobs tend to provide a greater degree of stability than work in the private sector. Outsourcing of services has become more commonplace, but government employment does offer protection from recession or economic downturns. Contrary to public perception of the nation’s capital as the primary employment location for government workers, less than 20% of federal government jobs are based in the Washington, D.C. area. State and municipal governments also offer localized employment opportunities. Government employment figures will likely hold steady or decline in the coming years, but there are several areas in which new federal jobs will be created. These sectors include national security, public health, and taxation revenue.

One of the primary features of the contemporary U.S. defense industry is the tremendous number of military jobs it has created in the private sector. In addition to Boeing, Halliburton, Raytheon Corporation and other major defense contractors, many smaller contractors have profited from military privatization in areas such as training, security and intelligence. For individuals who prefer not to enlist, military employment is also available via civilian army jobs.