Nobody who runs the bay area rat race gets to be root on other countries computer systems and have an easy commute through semi-rural Georgia. There's definitely a group of people to whom the life that comes with a government job is attractive.
Totally, but the question becomes what caliber of scientist that is attracting.
I guess someone could work for a pittance for a few years then leverage an NSA position for absurdly higher pay at a government contractor doing the same thing.
I worked in the US federal gov't during college and was casually asked if I would consider coming on after college.
If I remember right, fresh college grad compscis would make about $50k / year.
The General Schedule caps out at a GS-15 with a yearly salary of $142k which is basically how much SV will pay a fresh grad.
It makes no financial sense for any CS grad to get a job in the federal government.
You can either maybe make $142k / yr in 20 - 30 years or $200k / yr in about 5 years.