I don't know how true it is, but my understanding is that Federal workers often work fewer hours and enjoy better job security than their private counterparts.

I don't know how true it is, but my understanding is that Federal workers often work fewer hours and enjoy better job security than their private counterparts. If so, wouldn't you expect these benefits to be offset by lower compensation? On an hourly basis it could net out to be similar and simply appeal to folks who want a different type of career or work life balance.