I am a federal employee. Here is info you need to know:
1. Local: The jobs are generally lower paying than feds, and you generally have little to no room to move. The benefits, if given, are generally on the lower end of the spectrum. You are also subjected to stuff like furloughs, layoffs, and other job actions. A local gov’t job is NOT a lifetime position.
2. State: Better pay, better chance for promotion, better benefits than local. However, you are still subjected to furlough days, and other job actions. You could potentially stay in a state job for the long term.
3. Federal: Best of the three in benefits, pay, and ability to move around and up. Likely a lifetime position, especially when your retirement is vested. Very low chance of a furlough (it happened once that the entire federal government was layed off because Congress failed to pass a budget and the continuing resolution was not extended, however, everyone got their money back in the end). If you work for the executive branch, you are virtually un-fireable. Legislative branch jobs are more at-will, meaning that you serve at the pleasure of the controlling party and their leadership. Not sure how Judicial works.
Duvdl