Comparing the Compensation of Federal and Private-Sector Employees

The Congerssional Budget Office reports federal government workers average 16 percent more in compensation – wages and benefits combined -- than private sector workers doing similar jobs. The major difference is in fringe benefits. Federal workers typically enjoy far more non-wage benefits than private-sector workers.

Federal workers average more than $20 per hour in non-wage benefits — 48 percent more than the average pro-rated hourly benefits of $13.60 in the private sector. Federal workers on average enjoy wages that are approximately 2 percent higher than similar private-sector workers.