This is true. Though the perks and benefits that the govt provides for office workers are not going to be able to compete with top tech companies. Pension is delayed payment of decades while tenure at companies are dropping. I bet quantifying these forms of pay would make the comparison even worse.
There are a few things that I’m comparing it to that makes me say they are cheap (since it is a relative term).
1. How much money the govt has spent in other endeavors whether policy or contractors.
2. How much private sector (market) values top talent that the govt is trying to attract and retain. Value prop for private companies is high, but the impact these people can have on the US govt should be a lot larger.
Throw in Pension, Health Benefits, Over time pay and other benefits and it won't be cheap any more.
Not all forms of pay come in a monthly pay check.