Most Americans don’t think much of government jobs, unless they’re already working as a public employee.

In a new Gallup survey, 60% of respondents said they would rather work for a business than the government. Only 35% chose the latter. The percentages were pretty much the same when the same question was posed to working adults (63% v. 33%).

Among government workers, however, the sentiment is far more favorable towards the public sector. Sixty-three percent of those employed by the government prefer staying in this sector than moving to a company.

“Still, it is important to note that the 33% of all employed Americans preferring to work for government is nearly double the 17% who currently do work for government,” according to Lydia Saad at Gallup.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

More in U.S. Would Opt for a Business Job Than a Gov't Job (by Lydia Saad, Gallup Politics)

Gallup: Most Government Workers Like Working in the Public Sector (by Mark Micheli, Government Executive)

Government Jobs Disappearing…Unlike Other Post-Recession Periods (by Matt Bewig, AllGov)

Over 50 Years, Private Job Growth Better under Democratic Presidents (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)