Bureau of Labor Statistics

Spotlight on Spending #1: The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

By Kate Campaigne Piercy
06/02/2010
The Problem Historically, public employees have faced a trade-off: lower wages than the private sector in exchange for job security and generous benefits. That trade-off, however, has been disappearing over the years as government employees enjoy steady increases in wages, even during economic downturns. Meanwhile, businesses in the private sector must cut back or at...

Library Technicians on the State Payroll

05/17/2010
In 2008, library technicians on the state payroll received average annual wages over 60% higher than the average annual wages of library technicians in Illinois.

Welders on the State Payroll

05/12/2010
Welders working for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority received average annual wages 73% higher than the average for welders in Illinois.

Baker on the State Payroll

05/11/2010
In 2008, the Department of Human Services had a baker on their payroll receiving $34,628 in annual wages.

Social Workers on State Payroll

04/28/2010
In 2008, social workers in all of Illinois made 17% less, on average, than social workers employed by the State of Illinois.

$100,000 for Tour Guides

04/22/2010
In 2008, the state spent nearly $115,000 to provide tour guides at the State Capitol.