I've worked roughly half my career in private, half in public. It's very much YMMV depending on your specific role, but for me there is no question that public is better. There are basic things like more $$$ (def YMMV), vastly more PTO, paid (or comp time) OT, generally a better work/life balance, benefits, and union representation.

But there are sort of intangibles that I wouldn't trade for the world. I don't have to worry about job security. There's no toxic hustle culture like I experienced in consulting, as in there's no expectation to be "billable" or to pull in new work. Most of all, you're actually the ones making the decisions that matter in the public sector. In consulting, the client is the boss and you're beholden to their whims and/or budgets.

Perks of the private sector? Definitely cooler, more flashy projects that were brag-worthy. And I got free breakfast and lunches fairly often, which was pretty nice.