Public Workers are higher earners in 41 States

A recent article released by USA Today highlighted the rising compensation gap between the public sector employees and private sector workers. Of the fifty states measured, public employees “earn higher average pay and benefits” than private workers in 41 states respectively.

The analysis brings to attention the fact that the salaries of public workers has increased faster that private workers since 2000 primarily due to the "rising value of benefits ". For example state ,city, and school district workers in Wisconsin earned an average of $1,800 more than their private sector counterparts in 2009.

Key State-by-state findings according to the article:

• California. Public employee compensation rose 28% above the inflation rate from 2000 to 2009 to an average of $71,385 in 2009.

• Nevada. Government employees earned an average of $17,815 more — or 35% — than private workers, the nation’s biggest pay gap.

• Texas. The state ranked last in benefits for public employees. The state hasn’t granted cost-of-living increases to most retirees since 2001.

Like Texas, Georgia and Virginia pay significantly less to public workers and more to private sector workers . To see a detailed chart depicting the compensation gap per state and for more information about the article refer to the online version.