Take the government job with the Navy! You can negotiate the "step" rates, that is, GS-5 step 1 through 10. GS payscales Also, a lot of times the job is listed as GS-5/7 or GS-5/7/9 and you can be promoted to the higher grades. Once you are in the government system, you can always transfer to other GS jobs, but you must first get your foot in the door (get hired).

Good luck!