“The size of the government workforce is only the first part of the story. Working for the government is often considerably more lucrative than working in the private sector. Federal employees receive significantly more total compensation than comparable private-sector workers, particularly those without a college degree.”
More than 50% of the federal workforce has a college degree.
Approximately 40% of the civilian workforce has a college degree.
IOW, this statement from the article only proves that having a college degree is considerably more lucrative than not. It does not prove that being a federal worker is more lucrative than not.
The same is true for other claims about health benefits, etc.
It might not prove that fed employment is more lucrative but my experience, from being on both sides of the picture, is it is except for those at the very top.