The 10 Companies That Get the Most Government Money in 2025
In FY2025, the federal government awarded hundreds of billions in contracts. But the money is remarkably concentrated: just 10 companies received $183.1B — 64.3% of all federal contracts. Here's who they are and what they do with your money.
The Top 10
| # | Company | Contract Value | % of All Contracts | Cost/Taxpayer | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | $58.8B | 20.6% | $365 | Defense |
| 2 | Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc. | $22.5B | 7.9% | $140 | Healthcare |
| 3 | Electric Boat Corporation | $21.4B | 7.5% | $133 | Defense |
| 4 | Raytheon Company | $16.5B | 5.8% | $102 | Defense |
| 5 | The Boeing Company | $15.4B | 5.4% | $96 | Defense |
| 6 | Triwest Healthcare Alliance Corp. | $13.4B | 4.7% | $83 | Other |
| 7 | Mckesson Corporation | $11.9B | 4.2% | $74 | Healthcare |
| 8 | Huntington Ingalls Incorporated | $8.6B | 3.0% | $53 | Other |
| 9 | Amerisourcebergen Drug Corp. | $7.4B | 2.6% | $46 | Other |
| 10 | RTX Corporation | $7.3B | 2.6% | $45 | Other |
| Total (Top 10) | $183.1B | 64.3% | $1137 |
Who Are These Companies?
1. Lockheed Martin Corporation
$58.8BThe world's largest defense contractor. Makes the F-35 fighter jet, Hellfire missiles, and runs critical military satellite systems.
HQ: Bethesda, MD · Employees: ~122,000 · Cost to you: $365/year
2. Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.
$22.5BA UnitedHealth Group subsidiary managing government healthcare IT systems including Medicare and Medicaid claims processing.
HQ: Eden Prairie, MN · Employees: Subsidiary · Cost to you: $140/year
3. Electric Boat Corporation
$21.4BA General Dynamics subsidiary that builds nuclear submarines — Virginia-class and Columbia-class — for the U.S. Navy.
HQ: Groton, CT · Employees: ~18,000 · Cost to you: $133/year
4. Raytheon Company
$16.5BNow part of RTX Corporation. Builds Patriot missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and advanced radar systems.
HQ: Arlington, VA · Employees: Subsidiary · Cost to you: $102/year
5. The Boeing Company
$15.4BBuilds military aircraft (F/A-18, Apache helicopters, KC-46 tanker), satellites, and the Space Launch System.
HQ: Arlington, VA · Employees: ~170,000 · Cost to you: $96/year
6. Triwest Healthcare Alliance Corp.
$13.4B7. Mckesson Corporation
$11.9BOne of the largest pharmaceutical distributors in the U.S. Distributes drugs and medical supplies to VA hospitals and military facilities.
HQ: Irving, TX · Employees: ~51,000 · Cost to you: $74/year
8. Huntington Ingalls Incorporated
$8.6BAmerica's largest military shipbuilder. Builds aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships at Newport News, VA.
HQ: Newport News, VA · Employees: ~44,000 · Cost to you: $53/year
9. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corp.
$7.4B10. RTX Corporation
$7.3BThe Concentration Problem
When 10 companies hold nearly a quarter of all federal contracts, that's not a free market — it's an oligopoly funded by taxpayers. These companies have massive lobbying operations, employ former Pentagon officials, and enjoy contracts that renew year after year with limited competition.
The revolving door between the Pentagon and defense contractors is well-documented. A 2021 study found that 80% of retiring three- and four-star generals went to work for defense contractors or consultants. When the people writing the requirements are the same people bidding on the contracts, taxpayers lose.
It's (Almost) All Defense
Of the top 10 contractors, the majority are defense companies or serve military healthcare needs. Lockheed Martin alone receives more than the entire budgets of the Department of Education, the EPA, and NASA combined. The question isn't whether national defense matters — it does. The question is whether this level of concentration, with this little oversight, is serving taxpayers or shareholders.
For the full picture, see the Contractor Monopoly analysis or explore all federal contractors.
Related Analysis
Source: USASpending.gov · U.S. Department of the Treasury