Where there are comparable jobs to the private sector state jobs are often comparable or above in total compensation when you look at the overall benefits package.

 

Do you have a link to this? My wife, an attorney, who has been in state government about 10 years is just now making about what she was when she left private practice - 10 years ago. AND, she is a non-merit employee near the top of the ladder.

 

I have a masters degree plus about 60 hours - I don't make nearly what I could have made in the private sector with the same education.

Where there are comparable jobs to the private sector state jobs are often comparable or above in total compensation when you look at the overall benefits package.

 

With out researching too much I would have to disagree. I could easily be wrong but the state benefits have gone to pot. The pay has always been there. The only really perk to their benefits package is the pension.

Do you have a link to this? My wife, an attorney, who has been in state government about 10 years is just now making about what she was when she left private practice - 10 years ago. AND, she is a non-merit employee near the top of the ladder.

 

I have a masters degree plus about 60 hours - I don't make nearly what I could have made in the private sector with the same education.

 

Nope, just 35 years of personal experience doing tax returns for both public and private sector employees. That's why I said often, not always. State employees are usually a 37.5 hour work week. How many attorneys work that? Add the other benefits such as pension, paid time off, insurance, etc and it doe very often work out similar. You can't just look at wage rate.

 

As to your job, how many teaching jobs are there in the private sector? You can't just go by your education level. Lot's of masters out there out of work. You putting them in at zero?

Nope, just 35 years of personal experience doing tax returns for both public and private sector employees. That's why I said often, not always. State employees are usually a 37.5 hour work week. How many attorneys work that? Add the other benefits such as pension, paid time off, insurance, etc and it doe very often work out similar. You can't just look at wage rate.

 

As to your job, how many teaching jobs are there in the private sector? You can't just go by your education level. Lot's of masters out there out of work. You putting them in at zero?

 

Good point, I had forgotten that.

I don't want people to think I'm disrespecting state workers, I'm not. I have several family and close friends who work/worked for the state. I don't for a minute like that people are having to take furloughs. Their pay is dropping while the work still remains to get done. It's a tough situation.

Nope, just 35 years of personal experience doing tax returns for both public and private sector employees. That's why I said often, not always. State employees are usually a 37.5 hour work week. How many attorneys work that? Add the other benefits such as pension, paid time off, insurance, etc and it doe very often work out similar. You can't just look at wage rate.

 

As to your job, how many teaching jobs are there in the private sector? You can't just go by your education level. Lot's of masters out there out of work. You putting them in at zero?

 

If you think non-merit employees work 37.5 hours per week . . .

If you think non-merit employees work 37.5 hours per week . . .

 

Yet, that is their base vs 40 in private sector. Obviously both sectors have positions that only dream about 40, or 37.5.

What is the difference in merit and non-merit workers?

What is the difference in merit and non-merit workers?

 

Non-merit employees are "political" employees and can be fired at will i.e. the changing of the administration. Merit employees have their jobs because of their experience, etc. They make sure the government runs day to day and are NOT fireable at the whim of a new administration.

One thing I am confused about is why are only the executive branch employees subject to the furlough?

One thing I am confused about is why are only the executive branch employees subject to the furlough?

 

That is where the political employees are.