Nearly three-quarters of federal workers earn more in wages and benefits, on average, than their private-sector counterparts with similar levels of education, according to a new Congressional Budget Office report.
Joseph Kile, assistant director for microeconomic studies, testified Thursday at the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee that for most federal workers, both wages and benefits are higher on average when compared to non-government workers.
According to his testimony, total wages and benefits are an average of 21 percent higher for federal workers with bachelor’s degrees compared to private sector workers with a similar education.
Wages and benefits are an average of 53 percent higher for federal workers with high school diplomas compared to their private-sector counterparts.
Kile’s testimony said 71 percent of the federal workforce is made up of people with a bachelor’s degree or less education.
The remaining 29 percent of the federal workforce have either a master’s degree, professional degree or doctorate. On average, those federal workers get wages and benefits that are 18 percent lower than similar people in the private sector.
Kile said the defined benefit pension plan that federal workers enjoy is a big factor that raises overall compensation for federal workers.
“Such plans have become less common in the private sector,” he said.
