Government employees earn more

A just-released state survey shows private sector workers in Nevada made average incomes of $27,843 in 1997, nearly two-thirds of what federal employees averaged in the state - $42,467.

State employees averaged $33,566 in earnings last year, while local government wages averaged $33,878.

Bob Gagnier, executive director of the State of Nevada Employees Association, said government workers earn more because many must have college degrees.

"The problem with these surveys is they don't compare apples with apples," Gagnier said. "It is like trying to compare waitresses with doctors. In Nevada, the private sector is predominantly service-oriented. Over 50 percent of state jobs require degrees."

The income earned by secretaries is an example of the wage gap between the private and government sectors.

Another state survey, completed in 1996, showed secretaries working for the state earned $13.76 per hour, compared with $15.36 for those employed by local governments and $11.59 for private companies.

Mike Clark, an economist for the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, said government secretaries and other workers may earn more because they stay on the job longer.

"Part of the reason is they tend to stay working longer for the state because of other benefits," Clark said. "They develop seniority."

He also questioned whether a true salary comparison can be made between jobs in government with jobs in private companies.

For instance, guards working for the state earned an average of $13.23 per hour in 1996. Private guards earned $7.97 per hour.

"State wages are higher because you are talking about prison guards," he said. "Private guards often are security guards working in shopping malls."

Despite the wage gap, Nevada workers generally fared well in 1997. The average income of $28,671 earned by all types of workers in the state last year was 13th highest among all states.

And actual earnings could be higher because not all tip income is reported by companies to the state employment department.

The highest-paid industry in 1997 was mining. The typical miner made $49,905.

The lowest paid workers were employees of eating and drinking establishments. They earned on average $12,107 in 1997, but many also earned tip income.

Gagnier's union wants the Legislature next year to increase state employee wages by 6.6 percent.

The union wants the increase partly to reduce the gap between local and state government wages. Local government employees averaged $312 more in earnings than state workers last year.

State Personnel Director Sharon Murphy said people take government jobs for many reasons, not necessarily just for job security or benefits.

While average state wages may be higher than private wages, Murphy said there is a limit to what state workers can earn.

"I don't see this as a place where you can expect to earn the tremendous salaries that you can in private industry," she said.

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