Musk and Ramaswamy May Target This Surprising Government Role That Pays More Than You'd Think

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are shaking up Washington and federal workers are squarely in their sights. Under President-elect Donald Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk and Ramaswamy are leading a push to cut down federal spending and streamline government jobs. But the surprising twist? Some of the highest-paid roles on the chopping block might not be what you'd expect.

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According to U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data, as reported by Business Insider, federal civilian employees in certain roles earn salaries that rival those in the private sector – sometimes over $160,000 yearly. Leading the pack? The Department of Veterans Affairs primarily employs medical officers, with salaries averaging at the top of the charts. Other lucrative roles include ship pilots and general attorneys, which could also be at risk as DOGE sets its sights on downsizing, Business Insider reported.

In a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy didn't mince words. They wrote that DOGE aims to "identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions." Translation? They want leaner, meaner federal agencies. The strategy includes proposals for early retirement and severance packages to encourage staff to leave voluntarily, though details are still unclear.

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Beyond trimming headcounts, they're also targeting workplace flexibility. Federal workers eligible for telework – about 1.3 million as of March, according to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as reported by Business Insider – may need to dust off their commuting shoes. Musk and Ramaswamy proposed requiring all federal employees to work in-office five days a week. That's bound to create voluntary turnover, especially among workers accustomed to remote setups.

Surprisingly, health-related jobs dominate the federal salary leaderboard. Three of the five highest-paid roles are in health care, with medical officers, dentists and pharmacy officers earning hefty paychecks. Meanwhile, according to OMB and Business Insider, workers at the Department of Education and Department of Energy rake in average salaries exceeding $140,000 – tops among cabinet-level agencies.

But the big question? How will Americans feel about these cuts? DOGE's vision might appeal to those wary of bloated government budgets, but it could also spark a backlash from federal workers facing uncertainty.

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Musk and Ramaswamy seem unfazed, emphasizing Trump's "mandate" to deliver on his promises. For now, federal workers might want to monitor their inboxes – and maybe their retirement plans.

While the focus on high salaries grabs headlines, the ripple effects of these cuts could extend far beyond individual paychecks. Critics warn that slashing jobs in vital areas like health care and education could lead to service delays and strain on remaining staff. For example, fewer medical officers in the Department of Veterans Affairs could mean longer wait times for veterans needing care. This is a move that could raise eyebrows. And requiring federal employees to show up five days a week might seem straightforward, but it could backfire. We could see more turnover among top talent, especially younger workers who want flexibility. As DOGE’s plans unfold, the challenge will be balancing cost-cutting with delivering services to people who need them.

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