4A THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN L W SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010

WHO EARNS MORE?

The following is a chart showing the difference in compensation for a random selection of 15 jobs in private sector and their equivalents in the public sector,
without fringe benefits, pensions or contributions. The amounts show nine government jobs paid better, and six paid less. Checks denote which pays more.
PRIVATE SECTOR JOB Average annual wage Pay range STATE EQUIVALENT JOB Average annual wage Pay range
Construction manager $95,030 $54,087 — $135,315 Construction manager ✓ $101,729 $64,824 — $134,971
Civil engineer ✓ $82,166 $54,271 — $114,984 Civil engineer $80,556 $58,623 — $106,045
Mechanic (equipment) ✓ $54,269 $32,879 — $66,432 Mechanic (equipment) $51,812 $41,749 — $64,892
Accountant ✓ $73,820 $42,562 — $108,934 Accountant $69,590 $42,906 — $100,666
Construction worker ✓ $44,692 $28,148 — $62,145 Construction worker $41,828 $23,939 — $61,518
Grounds/building supervisor $51,210 $30,320 — $75,110 * Grounds/building supervisor ✓ $53,105 $35,520 — $77,220 *
Data entry operator $31,253 $21,733 — $43,567 Data entry operator ✓ $40,795 $27,533 — $51,753
Attorney (civil) ✓ $126,251 $60,315 — $166,400 Attorney (civil) $108,471 $69,783 — $166,400
Paralegal $50,541 $31,350 — $70,232 Paralegal ✓ $57,217 $29,281 — $82,013
Public relations managers $68,366 $55,363 — $92,409 Communications director ✓ $89,029 $56,162 — $133,261
Welder $45,465 $32,643 — $66,211 Welder ✓ $55,178 $48,371 — $64,332
Truck driver (construction) $33,671 $27,438 — $41,864 Truck Driver (construction) ✓ $34,075 $22,781 — $51,694 Source: State
Department of
Cafeteria worker $20,160 $18,313 — $24,9975 Cafeteria worker ✓ $28,842 $20,721 — $37,962 Labor
Office clerk (general) $31,366 $22,140 — $43,200 Office clerk (general) ✓ $37,003 $26,116 — $50,713
Receptionist ✓ $33,323 $25,066 — $47,553 Receptionist $29,113 $20,479 — $40,764
* Determined by averaging both grounds and building supervisors * Determined by averaging both grounds and building supervisors