That is fairly close to what I make as an engineer (in the Midwest, so I suspect my cost of living is cheaper than yours).
We haven’t had a pay freeze in a while, but I have taken pay cuts in the past. It is part of the game, and not a fun part either.
But I am fairly confident the benefits you have are a lot better than mine. I suspect you have a pension, and I have never had that option (my wife does also, but we are planning on Illinois to go bankrupt long before she sees a dime). And the health care for government workers is usually better, though that depends.
My point is that when the hard times hit, all need to be on the chopping block. I have been through it in two companies, and it is never easy. Once I left right before the ax fell on my position (thanks to a good manager who told me what was happening six months in advance).
As far as being on the chopping block, the fed gov does need downsizing, but with what we have in the Whitehouse I don't see that happening any time soon. I am proud and privileged to work for the American taxpayer supporting the US navy warfighter, there are many areas of fed gov that need cutting but (this may sound a little selfish) not where I work. What we do where I work is directly related to the freedom of this country, at least whatever the Whitehouse will allow.
V_TWIN