According to a Congressional Research Service report, "more than 77,000 federal government employees throughout the country — including computer operators, more than 5,000 air traffic controllers, 22 librarians and one interior designer — earned more than the governors of the states in which they work."
The Washington Times notes the report was "released at a time when public workers’ salaries and benefits are under scrutiny across the country as governments try to streamline.were released at a time when public workers’ salaries and benefits are under scrutiny across the country as governments try to streamline."
In the report, according to the WT, "CRS reviewed 2009 salary figures, the most recent available, and found 77,057 employees who earned more in annual pay than their respective governors. Of those workers, 18,351 were doctors — the highest percentage. The second-highest total was for 5,170 air traffic controllers — likely both front-line controllers and their supervisors."
The Washington Times notes the report was "released at a time when public workers’ salaries and benefits are under scrutiny across the country as governments try to streamline.were released at a time when public workers’ salaries and benefits are under scrutiny across the country as governments try to streamline."
In the report, according to the WT, "CRS reviewed 2009 salary figures, the most recent available, and found 77,057 employees who earned more in annual pay than their respective governors. Of those workers, 18,351 were doctors — the highest percentage. The second-highest total was for 5,170 air traffic controllers — likely both front-line controllers and their supervisors."
These folks? I hope they're well-paid...
The story goes on to say that, "CRS said nationwide there were 122 park rangers, 271 environmental protection specialists, 14 chaplains and one prison guard who earned more than their governors. There were also 21 archaeologists, three sociologists, 48 social workers, four food service workers and five civil rights analysts who made more than their governors. CRS said some locales are likely to have a higher concentration of well-paid employees. For example, 942 of the medical and public health workers who made more than their governors were from Georgia, the location of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Air traffic controllers, who were the second-biggest group to get salaries higher than their governors also generally have high salaries," the story notes. "That category likely includes both front-line controllers and their supervisors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the median salary for an air traffic controller in May 2008 was $111,870, while the top 10 percent earned $161,010 or more a year."
"Air traffic controllers, who were the second-biggest group to get salaries higher than their governors also generally have high salaries," the story notes. "That category likely includes both front-line controllers and their supervisors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the median salary for an air traffic controller in May 2008 was $111,870, while the top 10 percent earned $161,010 or more a year."
No offense to interior designers, but should a government-employed one make more money than - say - a governor?
It's difficult to argue with certain "life-or-death" positions being paid at high levels (particularly for those requiring a great deal of training/education or having so much responsibility...the doctors and air traffic controllers come to mind), but what's with an interior designer making more than a governor? Or a food service worker? Or a...? Well, you get the picture.
Interesting to see where your taxes go, isn't it?
