Are you a fired federal worker? These 5 states want to hire you

Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland are among the states hoping to lure fired federal workers into state government jobs. 

If you’ve been fired by the Trump administration, your next job might be in state government.

That’s the bet several governors are making as they launch recruitment drives to scoop up some of the thousands of federal workers affected by job cuts led by the White House DOGE office.

For workers, it’s not without challenges. You may have to move to a new state, and state government jobs may pay less than similar roles in the federal government.

For governors, there’s only upside, with the possibility of bolstering state governments while offering a political contrast to President Donald Trump.

Here are the states that have launched recruitment drives for federal workers in recent weeks.

New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul launched the “New York Wants You” campaign earlier this month. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign to lure federal workers to jobs in New York’s state government may be the flashiest.

In early March, Hochul launched the “New York Wants You” initiative in a bid to fill what the governor’s office says are more than 7,000 open positions.

The campaign included advertisements in Washington, DC’s Union Station featuring a drawing of the Statue of Liberty pointing forward — a reference to the “Uncle Sam” posters used for US Army recruitment during World War I.

“The federal government might say ‘you’re fired,'” Hochul said in an announcement video. “But here in New York, we say ‘you’re hired.'”

New York is also touting the benefits of working in state government, including paid parental leave and flexible schedules.

More than 53,000 federal workers live in New York, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Pennsylvania

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania signed an executive order to make it easier to hire federal government workers for critical positions.

Pennsylvania hopes to capitalize on the skills of federal employees to fill critical roles in its state government.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order last week directing state agencies to treat federal government work experience as equivalent to state-level work experience in a bid to fill certain roles — particularly in civil engineering, nursing, corrections, and accounting — more quickly.

“We have an opportunity to recruit federal workers and veterans who have significant experience and expertise in all of these fields because they’ve held these jobs already at the federal level or in the military,” Shapiro said in a statement at the time.

There are about 5,600 open positions in Pennsylvania state government, the governor’s office said.

As part of the initiative, the state also launched a new website that includes a chart comparing state government roles to equivalent federal government roles.

More than 66,000 federal workers live in Pennsylvania, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Maryland

Gov. Wes Moore is also encouraging fired federal workers to consider becoming teachers.

Maryland, which borders Washington, DC, and is home to 143,000 federal workers, per the Congressional Research Service, is also trying to hire more people to work in state government.

But Gov. Wes Moore isn’t just talking about state jobs — he’s also encouraging fired federal workers and others who work for organizations that depend on federal funding to consider becoming teachers.

“Are you a federal employee looking for a meaningful career change? Your commitment to public service makes you an asset in shaping the future of education,” reads a state website set up to support the initiative.

Virginia

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has defended DOGE cuts, even as he extended sympathy to fired federal workers.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has also launched a bid to lure fired federal workers into state government.

There are about 4,500 open positions posted on the Virginia Has Jobs website, which Youngkin announced late last month.

Unlike other governors who’ve extended help to federal workers, Youngkin is a Republican.

He’s expressed general support for DOGE-led cuts to the federal workforce while extending sympathy to those who have been fired.

“This process that the federal government is going through is one that is needed, because of the inefficiency and bloat of the federal government,” Youngkin said at a recent press conference. “With that said, this isn’t about the workers, who I know are really, really, really scared.”

More than 144,000 federal workers live in Virginia, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Hawaii

Gov. Josh Green is trying to quickly hire federal workers. 

The Aloha State is looking to hire federal workers — and quickly.

Gov. Josh Green signed an executive order last month launching Operation Hire Hawaii, an initiative that directs state agencies to prioritize “displaced” federal workers for open positions.

The order also expedites the hiring process, directing agencies to make a conditional job offer within 14 days of receiving an application.

More than 24,500 federal workers live in Hawaii, according to the Congressional Research Service.