USA Today reports that North Carolina’s state and local government workers make on average nearly $2,000 more per year than those in the private sector. But, hey. It could be worse. In Rhode Island and Nevada they make more than $17,000 more than poor schlubs in the private sector.
In all, there are 41 states in which public sector workers make more than those in the private sector. The average nationally is a $2,511 gap in favor of public sector workers. That just shouldn’t happen. At least there should be parity, but I’d prefer that public sector workers make less than private sector workers, like, maybe, the $1,800 gap that we see here in North Carolina, only flipped around.
The history of the civil service has been that they make a bit less than the private sector because, well, it’s tax money, after all. And the “calling” of working for the government has been a factor in the past, especially for teachers. There is nothing inherent in government work that makes it more valuable to society. In fact, I think the opposite argument is much more compelling.
There’s a reason that there’s a saying, “Close enough for government work.”
