They are usually very generous, especially health insurance subsidies. My friend with a teacher wife pays almost zero, for premiums and out of pocket. And they had multiple IVF rounds covered.

Ask them what their deductible/oop max, and how they get that insurance, and I bet you will have your answer for how your friend can afford to raise a family of 4 as a barber and buy and live on 10 acres of land. I doubt a 2 barber couple could pull it off. The security/benefits of one half of a couple being a government employee is pretty valuable.