Study Recommends Raises For Front-Line State Workers

A new study finds state workers earn less than they could in the private sector but have better-than-average benefits.

Monday, December 9th 2013, 10:58 pm

By: News 9


A new study finds state workers earn less than they could in the private sector but have better-than-average benefits.

Last month, we reported that many state agencies were giving their directors hefty raises without first waiting to see the results of a study on compensation for all state workers.

That study is now out, and it's recommending raises for front-line workers.

According to the study, 60 percent of state agency employees make $25,000 to $45,000 a year. That's 22 percent less than the private sector, and 6 percent less than comparable state governments.

So, pay is low. But the study says Oklahoma's benefits are good, 24-percent more than those of comparable state governments and 18 percent more than the private sector.

One of the consultants that prepared the study says "Oklahoma has a great compensation plan for the 1980s...it's not a plan that is suited well for today."

The consultants recommend tweaking the pay-benefit mix, so that employees have to contribute more for their benefits, but also so that their wages are higher.

And, to that point, the study recommends the Legislature appropriate $41 million next session for pay raises.

State workers haven't received an across-the-board pay raise in seven years, but the agency that oversees state employees' estimates that one-third received some sort of pay increase last year.

Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders requested the 200-thousand dollar pay study earlier this year.

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