Elon Musk’s DOGE Efficiency Plan: Federal Jobs & Salaries

Musk’s DOGE Wants to ‘Delete’ Government Agencies: Where Most Federal Workers Are Employed and What They Earn

Elon Musk, the tech mogul and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, alongside former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, is leading a new initiative aimed at overhauling government efficiency. This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency — a new body established under former President Donald Trump — aims to cut down on federal bureaucracy, streamline government operations, and possibly eliminate entire agencies. As part of their sweeping reforms, the two have suggested that certain government departments could be “deleted” outright.

Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s government-efficiency commission has already generated significant debate, with some advocates of reform hailing the move as a necessary step toward reducing government waste and improving productivity. However, for the millions of Americans employed by federal agencies, the potential for job losses and departmental cuts looms large.

As Musk and Ramaswamy begin to implement their agenda, a significant focus has been on identifying which agencies are the largest and most costly in terms of employment. In the process, Business Insider analyzed the employment and salary data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), shedding light on where federal employees work and how much they earn. This article explores the details of this government workforce and the impact that the proposed efficiency drive could have on federal employees.

The U.S. Government: The Largest Employer in the Nation

The U.S. government is by far the largest employer in the country, with more than 2 million people working in various capacities across different departments and agencies. This figure includes civilian employees working in areas ranging from law enforcement and healthcare to transportation and defense.

Among the biggest employers in the federal government are departments such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. These agencies alone employ well over a million people. With Musk and Ramaswamy pushing for a more efficient government structure, these agencies could see major restructuring, with job cuts potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.

In addition to the sheer number of employees, the federal government is also a major employer in terms of salaries. Many federal agencies offer competitive pay packages, particularly in specialized fields such as law enforcement, health services, and military roles. The average salary of federal workers varies by department, with some sectors, like healthcare and energy, offering six-figure salaries. Meanwhile, other departments, such as agriculture or education, have lower average wages.

Business Insider’s analysis of federal employment data provides a breakdown of federal agencies, including their employee count and the average salary for workers in those departments. The data highlights the agencies that employ the largest number of people and also offers insights into how much federal employees are making on average in these roles.

Federal Employment and Salaries by Department

Understanding which agencies are the largest employers in the federal government is key to evaluating the potential effects of Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s proposed cuts. Below is a detailed breakdown of employment and average salary figures across various federal departments as of the most recent data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Potential Job Cuts and Departmental Streamlining

One of the key components of Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s proposal is the idea of eliminating certain federal agencies altogether. This could result in significant job cuts, particularly in large departments such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. These agencies, which employ hundreds of thousands of federal workers, could face downsizing or even dismantling as part of a broader push for efficiency.

For instance, the Department of Veterans Affairs alone employs over 486,000 people, many of whom work in healthcare and benefits administration for U.S. veterans. If the agency were to face cuts or be eliminated, this would lead to massive job losses and disruption to critical services that veterans rely on.

Similarly, the Department of Homeland Security employs more than 220,000 workers, many of whom are responsible for national security, law enforcement, and emergency management. A major reduction in personnel in this department could lead to gaps in national security, cybersecurity, and disaster response capabilities.

While the efficiency commission argues that eliminating “duplication” and “unnecessary” roles will save taxpayers money and streamline government processes, the cost of these cuts could be high in terms of the services and protections that the American public currently receives from these departments.

The Debate: Government Efficiency vs. Public Services

The debate around government efficiency and job cuts is not new, but the push for deeper cuts has gained momentum with Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency. Proponents of these cuts argue that the federal government has become bloated over the years, with unnecessary agencies and overlapping functions that hinder productivity and cost taxpayers billions of dollars. They suggest that by streamlining government functions and reducing the size of the workforce, the federal government could operate more efficiently and reduce its deficit.

However, critics of the proposal warn that eliminating entire agencies or reducing staff could lead to significant disruptions in services that are vital to the American public. These critics argue that agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services provide essential services that cannot be easily replicated by the private sector.

Moreover, reducing the size of these agencies could lead to increased unemployment in the public sector and create challenges for workers who rely on these jobs for their livelihoods. The debate over government efficiency is therefore not just about cutting costs — it’s also about ensuring that essential services are maintained and that the public’s needs are met.

Impact on Federal Workers: What’s at Stake?

For federal workers, the proposal to cut agencies and streamline the government structure presents an uncertain future. With more than 2 million federal employees in the U.S., many could find themselves out of a job as Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s commission moves forward with its plans. While some agencies are likely to see fewer cuts, others — particularly large, bureaucratic departments — could face substantial reductions in workforce size.

The challenge for federal workers is that many of these cuts could occur at the senior and managerial levels, where salaries are higher. For example, the average salary in the Department of Energy is over $143,000, while the Department of Transportation pays an average of $139,000 per year. Workers in these departments may be at greater risk of layoffs, given the high salaries and the drive to eliminate redundancies.

Federal workers, especially those in key areas such as national defense, public health, and law enforcement, may find themselves in competition for fewer positions as agencies are streamlined. And while some workers may transition to new roles within a restructured government, others may be left searching for opportunities outside the public sector.

Related: Trump Taps Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for Radical Government Overhaul Initiative

Related: Elon Musk’s $200 Million Power Play: Inside the Billionaire’s Role in Trump’s Shocking Presidential Win

A New Era of Government Efficiency or a Risk to Public Services?

As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency moves forward with its proposals to streamline and restructure the federal government, the potential for widespread job cuts and agency eliminations is causing concern among federal employees and service recipients alike. While many agree that the government could benefit from greater efficiency and reduced waste, the full extent of these cuts and their impact on public services remains to be seen.

The looming uncertainty surrounding the future of federal agencies underscores the need for a careful balancing act between efficiency and public service. If done correctly, streamlining the government could lead to significant cost savings and more effective operations. However, if not handled carefully, these cuts could undermine critical public services that Americans depend on daily.

For now, all eyes are on Musk, Ramaswamy, and the rest of the efficiency commission as they work to reshape the future of government in America.