A new study by the Illinois Policy Institute finds that state workers earn 23 percent more, on average, than private sector workers, while local government workers in Illinois earn 12 percent more. The principal driver of the differences in overall compensation is the cost of benefits, which is 1.5 times higher for government workers in Illinois vs. private workers.
In an analysis of pay levels for workers with comparable levels of education, the study found that over a 35-year career on average a state worker would receive $484,000 more in compensation than a comparable private sector worker. The report added that the actual compensation gap may well be higher because Illinois has not been adequately funding its pension system, in the process masking the true cost of employing government workers there.
In an analysis of pay levels for workers with comparable levels of education, the study found that over a 35-year career on average a state worker would receive $484,000 more in compensation than a comparable private sector worker. The report added that the actual compensation gap may well be higher because Illinois has not been adequately funding its pension system, in the process masking the true cost of employing government workers there.
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