My wife picked her state job in large because of the retirement options and it being a 9-5 job. Her degree is at a higher level, she's a civil engineer and wit

My wife picked her state job in large because of the retirement options and it being a 9-5 job. Her degree is at a higher level, she's a civil engineer and with a professional license on top; as a tech person,I make about 50% more. If she went to a private company, that actually paid women the same as men, we would make almost the same. Her choice was to bet on the state after having been exploited in the private sector and with no recourse.