If you’re looking for a high-paying job in government, Utah is a great place to be. In fact, you don’t need a Master’s degree or higher to land a lucrative job. There are some well-paying government jobs that don’t require a degree at all!

So what are these coveted positions? And what does it take to land one?

Keep reading to find out.

Highest Paying Government Jobs in Utah

The highest paying jobs in government in Utah are typically in the fields of medicine, information technology, and law. Some of the most popular high-paying government jobs in Utah include medical examiner, IT analyst, and attorney.

The salaries for these positions can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the level of experience an individual has and the agency or department they work for.

For example, the advertised annual salary for an Assistant Medical Examiner at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in Salt Lake County, Utah, is between $178,713 and $264,460. While that’s obviously not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s just one example of how lucrative government jobs can be.

Another example is an IT Architect – DevOps, which is listed as a flexible/hybrid position in Salt Lake City, UT. This position, although it does require a high degree of skill and knowledge, does not require any higher education or certifications. The base salary listed on governmentjobs.com for this job is just under $87,000.

Finally, even in the field of Support Services, you can earn a comfortable living without a degree. Salt Lake County, UT advertises a need for a Support Services Coordinator with the Department of Corrections. This position has specific experience and knowledge requirements, but none regarding higher education. The salary starts at $56,500 per year.

Obviously, high-paying government jobs exist, even for people without advanced degrees. You just have to know where to look.

Your Job Search

When conducting a job search for government jobs, it’s important to remember that there are a variety of different agencies and departments that offer government jobs at all levels – federal, state, and local. It’s also important to be aware of the different salary levels for different government jobs.

CareersInGovernment

One great way to conduct a job search for government jobs is to use careersingovernment.com. This website provides detailed information on government jobs at all levels, including salary data and job openings.

It also provides listings nationwide meaning if you’re curious about government jobs in Texas as well as in Utah, you don’t have to go far to widen your net. It gets its information from various government sources, including the official United States federal government jobs website: USAJOBS.gov.

Once you have an account and profile set up, you’ll also be able to set a job alert for each category you’re interested in. This will make sure you don’t miss a new job opening you might qualify for.

GovernmentJobs

The website governmentjobs.com offers job seekers a dynamic search function by which to find career matches. Search by location (county), salary range, job title or category, or agency. You can also set job alerts which will remain in place for up to 12 months, sending you an email notification for the latest job alert match and employment opportunity.

State Website

Another resource for finding government jobs is the official website of the state, county, or city where you want to work. This website will typically list all available government jobs in that state or locality, along with information on how to apply.

Unemployment Office

Finally, don’t forget to check with your local unemployment office. Many times, this office will have information on upcoming job fairs, which can be a great way to meet hiring managers from various government agencies and learn more about their application and hiring process.

Applying for Government Jobs

The application process for government jobs can vary depending on the position and the agency or department involved. However, most government jobs require the completion of an application package that includes a resume, cover letter, and any relevant supporting documents.

Do you know how long hiring managers look at a resume? 

6 seconds

That’s it!

To give yourself the best chance at getting noticed, take advantage of tools like Top Resume. This free resume review tool will provide you with personalized, actionable feedback to make your resume stand out from the rest.

Some agencies or departments may also require applicants to take a written test and undergo one or more virtual or in-person interviews. It’s important to research the specific requirements of the job you’re interested in before applying.

Qualifications for a Government Job

US Citizen

Almost every government job requires the applicant to be a U.S. citizen. There are a few exceptions to this, but not many. Read the job’s employment standards carefully prior to your application.

Background Check

Another common compliance requirement is a background check. If your application is accepted, you should expect one and it will be thorough. Depending on the agency you apply to, your background check could take weeks or months to complete.

High School Diploma/GED +

While other qualifications can vary depending on the position, most government jobs require applicants to at least have a high school diploma or equivalent. If a higher degree of education is required, the job description will explain the department’s expectations. Some professions, such as those in information technology, are much more concerned with experience and know-how than college degrees.

Experience & Training

In addition, most government jobs require applicants to have a minimum of one year of experience in a related field. Some positions may also require specialized training, certification, or licensing. Of course, this will be stated in the job description.

It’s important to conduct research on the specific qualifications for the job you’re interested in before applying. For more information on qualifications for government jobs, visit careersingovernment.com or the agency or department with which the job is listed.

Benefits of Working in a Government Job

Utah enjoys an unemployment rate well below the national average – an impressive 2% (national average is 3.5%). Although there are fewer job openings because most people have steady work, there are still plenty of golden opportunities to be had if you know where to look.

Working in a government job comes with a number of added benefits over many jobs in the private sector.

Excellent benefits

Government jobs come with great benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

Job security

Government jobs are typically very secure, meaning employees can count on having a job for the long haul.

Variety of jobs available

There are a variety of government jobs available at all levels, so job seekers can find one that’s a good fit for them.

Preparing for a Government Job Interview

Whether you’re preparing for an interview at a private business or a government job, it’s important to remember that the hiring process is highly competitive. You need to make sure that you stand out from the other candidates. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

Research the organization and the position

Make sure you know what the organization does and what the position entails. This will help you create specific examples that demonstrate how you are a good fit for the job.

Practice your answers to common interview questions

Be prepared to talk about your skills and experience, as well as your reasons for wanting to work for the organization. Your interviewer will probably ask questions such as:

• Why did you apply for this position? – They’re interested in finding out why you’re interested in this specific job, what qualifies you for the position, what you’ll bring to the table if they hire you, and why you’re a better candidate than all the others. If you answer all these questions succinctly, in a 1-2 minute answer, you’ll be in an excellent position.
• Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision. – This is what’s called a behavioral question, and it’s best to answer these in the STAR format. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It’s a storytelling technique you can employ to answer a question in order to highlight your abilities and strengths. You’ll explain a previous work situation in which you were called upon to make a difficult decision. In the beginning, you’ll present the context of the story so your interviewer will understand why the decision was difficult. You’ll then describe the task you were faced with and the action you needed to take in order to accomplish it. Finally, you’ll describe the results (they should be positive, or as positive as possible) you achieved. Your entire answer should not be longer than 2 minutes.

Most people don’t prepare at all for job interviews, and that’s a mistake. By practicing, you can increase your odds of success by leaps and bounds. Tools like Big Interview are designed by interview experts specifically to help you ace your interview and land your dream job.

Why not take advantage?

Dress professionally

Even if the job doesn’t require a suit, dress in a way that makes you look like a professional. First impressions are important, so you want to be sure you make a good one.

Arrive on time and be prepared to stay for the entire interview

Be respectful of the interviewer’s time and make sure you have all of your questions ready to ask. It’s important to come prepared with questions for your interviewer. This will show that you’ve done your homework and that you’re interested in the position.

Some good questions to ask include:

• What is the culture like at this agency or department?
• What are the biggest challenges facing this agency or department right now?
• What are the biggest rewards and challenges of working in this field?

Follow up after the interview with a thank-you note

Reiterating your interest in the position and thanking the interviewer for their time. Signing the card or email in a way that expresses your gratitude regardless of whether you get an offer will leave a great impression and may just tip the scale in your favor.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to acing your government job interview. Check out the resources on CareersInGovernment for even more advice on how to put your best foot forward.

On Your Way

Hopefully, this post has given you the confidence to go after the job you’ve been dreaming of. With the tips we outlined, you should be able to find it, apply for it, and ace your interview. Soon you’ll be on your way to earning a great salary working for the government in one of Utah’s amazing cities!