Job applications surge from workers at DOGE-targeted agencies
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Job applications from federal workers inside DOGE-targeted agencies have surged this year, according to data out Tuesday morning from Indeed, the jobs site.
Why it matters: This is a highly educated bunch, spread around the country — and they're entering the job market at a time when hiring for those with advanced degrees has stalled out.
The big picture: The precise number of federal workers who will end up unemployed isn't known — some firings are tied up in court. It's still unclear what the broader impact on the economy could look like.
- There was a decline of 10,000 federal government jobs in February, per the jobs report. But more cuts are coming.
How they did it: Indeed looked at the profiles and resumes of those who are either still employed by the federal government or were recently working there.
- They compared their job search activity to 2022 levels. Back then, lots of federal employees were job hunting — along with many American workers, as the hiring market was hot.
By the numbers: This year, for most federal employees, applications aren't back to that 2022 level yet.
- But the big exception is among those working at DOGE-targeted agencies like USAID, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the USDA.
- Applications from workers at these agencies spiked more than 75% above 2022 levels in February.
Anybody want to hire a horticulturalist? Searches for that term grew the fastest, per Indeed, likely because of USDA layoffs. "Employee relations" came in second — perhaps from all the fired people working in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Between the lines: Federal workers tend to be more educated than the workforce overall, and at DOGE-targeted agencies that's even more true.
- 31.5% of federal workers have a Bachelor's degree or higher, per Pew — but nearly 70% of the federal employees active on Indeed in February had a Bachelor's or more.
Stunning stat: Two-thirds of employees at USAID held a master's degree, doctorate or other advanced degree, per Pew — the most highly educated federal agency among those with at least 1,000 employees.
- Overall, job postings for roles with higher education requirements have fallen more than for those that don't require advanced degrees, per Indeed's data.
Zoom out: There are fewer opportunities right now that match these workers' education and experience, says Cory Stahle, an economist at Indeed.
- "That's creating a friction in the labor market."
- The risk is the job market won't be able to absorb them all, he added.
What to watch: The March jobs report will be out next week.
