Let’s compare public employee pay figures

Let’s set the record straight.

In today’s R-J Dennis Mallory, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041, called Gov. Jim Gibbons’ idea that state jobs might not be eliminated if salaries were reduced "ridiculous." He said salary surveys show state workers earn almost 30 percent less on the average than those in large counties in Nevada.

Why does this sound like only the most favorable stats for the public employee unions to cite?

According to data from the state Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation, the following was the average weekly salary by employment sector in 2007.

First, Clark County average weekly pay:
Private sector: $796
Federal government: $1,183
State government: $888
Local government: $952

Then the average weekly salaries for all of Nevada:
Private sector: $792
Federal government: $1,188
State government: $957
Local government: $907