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Federal Government Employee Salary in Columbus, OH — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Columbus's cost of living (index: 90). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Columbus — Key Numbers

$87,300
Median Salary
$57,600
25th Percentile
$121,500
75th Percentile
$157,500
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median-10.0%
Columbus median household income$64,600
vs. City household income+35.1%

Cost of Living in Columbus

Cost of Living Index
90(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,199/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio16.5%
Annual rent cost$14,388
Median Home Price$265,000
Home Price / Salary3.0×
20% Down Payment$53,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.0 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Columbus

3.8%
Unemployment Rate
2,150,000
Metro Population
23 min
Avg Commute
33.2
Median Age

Columbus has a metro population of 2,150,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Columbus

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Cost of Living — Columbus
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Federal Government Employee Salary in Ohio
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Columbus

Physician$206,370Chief Executive Officer$189,000Dentist$157,959IT Manager$152,559Marketing Manager$141,858Lawyer$131,184

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Ohio Cities

Cleveland, OH$82,450Cincinnati, OH$88,270Dayton, OH$80,510Akron, OH$80,510Toledo, OH$77,600

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Columbus, OH?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Columbus is $87,300 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Columbus's cost of living index (90). The typical salary range runs from $57,600 (25th percentile) to $121,500 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $157,500.

Is Columbus affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $87,300 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Columbus would spend approximately 16.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,199/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Columbus relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $265,000 is 3.0× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Columbus's overall income?

Columbus's median household income is $64,600. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $87,300 earns 35.1% more than the typical Columbus household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee in OhioAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.