10 Best Government Jobs To Get

Government jobs have long been coveted for their job security and generous benefits packages. These are some of the best government jobs to get in terms of salary and benefits.

There are many good, solid government jobs, but most are not very glamorous or high prestige. One exception may be working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA astronomers, who are responsible for studying planets, stars and other celestial bodies, earn an average salary of $162,000.

To become a NASA astronomer, you need government training and a bachelor's degree in engineering, math, physics or another science-related field.

Chemists who work for the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for performing laboratory experiments and quantitative and qualitative analysis to check for contaminants in foods.

Other chemists may do forensic research for agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations or the secret service.

Chemists earn an average salary that ranges between $54,757 to $128,920 per year. You need an advanced degree in chemistry or a related field for this job.

Computer scientists may work in a variety of roles throughout government. Some people in these jobs are responsible for the same types of information technology jobs that occur in the private sector, such as network administration, systems analysis and cybersecurity.

Others design, test and develop government-specific systems for NASA, the military and other government organizations. You need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.

Some positions may require post-graduate degrees. The average annual salary ranges from $61,642 to $166,500.

The chief engineer supervises U.S. research vessels in agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

To qualify for this job, you need a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. The top salary for this position is $161,000.

Air traffic controllers are responsible for routing airplanes and ensuring the safety of planes traveling through U.S. airspace.

To qualify for this job, you need a bachelor's degree from a program that has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The average salary for this job is $124,570 per year.

Nurses triage patients, assist with assessing health conditions, take vital signs and execute nursing plans. Some nurses may also assist surgeons or participate in other specialized areas of care.

Depending on the specific job, nurses may need a nursing diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree or a doctorate. Average salaries for nurses range from $38,524 to $59,660 per year.

Administration law judges preside over cases that involve claims against government programs, such as Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid.

To qualify for this position, you must be a licensed and registered attorney with a minimum of seven years of experience. Salaries for this job max out at about $172,000 per year.

Program managers work in a variety of government departments, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the Department of Energy.

Program managers oversee projects and make sure they are successfully completed.

For this job, you need a bachelor's degree and previous experience in project management. Top program managers earn about $170,680 per year.

Auditors help ensure that various government agencies and departments are following government regulations and policies by conducting detailed financial audits.

Government auditors must have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting. Some positions require a master's or a doctorate. Average salaries range from $57,510 to $117,191 per year.

Civil engineers design, plan and oversee the construction and maintenance of government facilities. To work in this job, you need a bachelor's degree in engineering that includes significant coursework in civil engineering.

Some positions may require a postgraduate degree. Average salaries range from $57,510 to $136,926 per year. There are many types of jobs available with state, federal and local governments.

These are just a few examples of some of the best government jobs.