Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a new study has found that the public sector requires more education of prospective workers than the private sector does. “State and local employees are twice as likely to hold a college degree or higher as compared to private sector employees,” according to the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, one of the sponsors of the study (Out of Balance? Comparing Public and Private Sector Compensation Over 20 Years).

 

But while governments require more education, they pay less than private employers. The disparity is 11% less for state workers and 12% for local government employees. Although pensions and other benefits are better for government workers, total compensation is still 6.8% less for state employees and 7.4% less for local government employees in comparison to comparable private sector employees.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Out of Balance? Comparing Public and Private Sector Compensation Over 20 Years (Center for State and Local Government Excellence)

Report: Out of Balance (by Keith A. Bender and John S. Heywood, Center for State and Local Government Excellence and National Institute on Retirement Security) (pdf)