County workers in Hawaii make highest wages in the nation
Private sector workers in Hawaii make among the lowest
News Release from Grassroot Institute
HONOLULU, HAWAII--January 31, 2017--County workers in the state of Hawaii make the highest wages on average in the entire nation compared to county workers in other states, according to research from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that county workers in Hawaii make a mean average wage of $61,365 a year.
Private sector workers in Hawaii make much lower wages, at $45,266 per year, which is just below the average salary of state workers in Hawaii, at $46,319 annually.
When pension and other post-employment benefits are included, total contributions balloon to $86,712 for county workers and $68,216 for state workers.
The average of private sector worker wages and benefits in Hawaii is $55,432 annually.
When wage and benefit numbers are adjusted for Hawaii’s high cost of living, county pay drops to sixth highest in the nation, which is still well above the national average (see graph below).
Private sector wages, however, dip to the lowest in the nation when adjusted for Hawaii’s cost of living.
Keli’i Akina, President and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, said, “When adjusted for cost of living, Hawaii’s average private sector workers make the lowest wages in the entire nation. But they are the individuals supporting the wages and benefits of Hawaii’s public employees, who are making among the highest wages in the nation.”
He continued, “As all 14 public employee unions ask for higher pay and bonuses this year, lawmakers must find a solution that is affordable for everyone. Our representatives must ask themselves if increasingly generous public sector benefits are worth increased taxes, when many of Hawaii’s citizens are already struggling with low wages and high costs of living."
When adjusted for Hawaii's high cost of living, county worker pay drops to sixth highest in the nation, which is still higher than the national average:
When benefits are included, government salaries and benefits dwarf that of the private sector in Hawaii:
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About the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii:
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, the free market, and limited, accountable government throughout Hawai`i and the Asia-Pacific region.
About Grassroot President:
Keli’i Akina, Ph.D., is a recognized scholar, educator, public policy spokesperson, and community leader in Hawaii. Currently, he is President/CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a public policy think tank dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, free markets and limited, accountable government. An expert in East-West Philosophy and ethics, Dr. Akina has taught at universities in China and the United States and continues as an adjunct instructor at Hawaii Pacific University.
HNN: County workers in Hawaii among nation's best paid