[dartuser]

The Federal Salary Council, an advisory body of academics and leaders of public employee unions, suggested last month that federal workers are underpaid by an average of 35 percent relative to nonfederal employees.

As a federal employee ... I know that is BS. I am an engineer who worked for a defense contractor for 20 years before moving to the government.

I make less now, but nowhere near 35% less ...

[IbJensen]

Are you at work now?

I’m an over 70 retiree and at home on my own time.

[stubernx98]

In the 90’s and mid 2000’s the consulting company I had did a lot of salary surveys in both the public and private sector. Considering toal compensation(salary & benefits) federal employees made 20% more than the same job in the private sector, State and municipal employees were at plus 10 to 15% more. You can add another 10% to those numbers now.

[mom4melody]

I worked for private sector for 25 years before my company outsourced my job in 2002.

I do the same job now, for the Feds. It is, however, much more complex due to regulations.

I just now, this year, passed by 2002 salary. The benefits are non-existant, and I get 10 holidays and 4 weeks vacation, which I earn.

In my other job, I had earned 5 weeks vaca and was closing in on 6. We had 14 Holidays. I also had my yearly planner purchased for me, my home internet was paid for by the company for when I needed to work from home, and no one made a huge fuss if we had training conferences.

I’m not the one complaining...I feel like I’m serving my country. The other yahoo’s on here sound like the evious occuturds.

I am thankful for my job and I am honored to serve my country, but it’s not the pot of gold some of you think it is.

[OHPatriot]

Just to add to what drtuser said, as a 24yr federal employee I have seen these stupid arguments for years. These so called think tanks can make the numbers say whatever they want. Underpaid by 30% or overpaid by 30%, take your pick. State local and municipal workers are the true overpaid employees. However I do agree there are numerous federal employees that are overpaid for the level of education required. About 20yrs ago there was a seperate GS scale for engineers, scientists, doctors, etc. Someone thought it wasn't fair for GS12 engineers to receive more pay than a GS12 budget person. So in the interest of fairness these NON-TECHNICAL, NON-HIGHER EDUCATED employees received a $5000 raise to bring them up to engineers and scientists. Over the years I've compaired my salary to my counterparts at the major defense contractors and the difference is they get about 20% more. Wish some think tank would do a real study, not just these nice politically charged pieces of crap. Sorry for the rant.

[Little Ray]

Does that include health care and retirement bennies?

My FiL is retired from the gub’mint and lives on what can only be described as an extravagant pension. He was a senior technocrat, admittedly, but he lives well.