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Number of Feds Making Six Figures Rises

Government salaries jump in recession; average is $71K

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 11, 2009 11:46 AM CST
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(Newser) – The number of federal employees making more than $100,000 a year has surged since the start of the recession, jumping from 14% a year and a half ago to 19% today. As salaries have increased, those making the most have gotten the biggest raises. When the recession began, for example, just one Transportation Department employee had a salary of $170,000 or more; today, 1,690 do, reports USA Today.

The average federal worker’s pay is now $71,206, compared to $40,331 in the private sector. “There’s no way to justify this to the American people. It’s ridiculous,” said one Republican congressman. But the Federal Managers Association says the number has increased because the government has hired more highly skilled people, and it maintains that they make 26% less than similar private sector professionals.

Tim Geithner makes 191,300 a year, though that's half what he made at his last job.
Tim Geithner makes 191,300 a year, though that's half what he made at his last job.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Dec 14, 2009 8:53 AM CST
HAH!
Reader65069154
Dec 14, 2009 4:02 AM CST
You ever seen a military pay chart Doc? Do yourself a favor sometime and Google it so you stop looking like an idiot. People don't do it for the money, which is what this whole article is about.
CaptainZ64
Dec 14, 2009 1:51 AM CST
Dr Zaius, the ere are no jobs in the private sector. Anyway how can this administration get off on cutting the pay of private sector CEO's yet have the cajones to raise the pay of those in government.
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federal employees • pay increase • government employees • federal pay

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