Total compensation costs for state and local
government workers averaged $41.94 an hour in December, according to a report
from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure compares with average
compensation of $28.98 for workers in private-sector jobs. When you mix public
and private employers, average compensation is $30.84 an hour, according to the
report. In the private sector, wages and salaries accounted for slightly more
than 70 percent of total compensation, with benefits such as health insurance,
pension and savings programs and paid leave taking up the balance. Public employers
paid 65 percent of compensation in wages and salaries and 35 percent in
benefits.