Same Work, Different Paycheck

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

While I agree with your premise that this is merely campaigning, I don't see how you draw the conclusion that public sector employees are better educated than the private sector, nor do they garner higher wages for the most part. The money and brains are almost always in the private sector. The public sector is usually made up of the Mayor's drunk brother-in law and his cronies that can't hold down a real job, that is why they get the stigma of being overpaid, along with getting crazy benefits that no one else gets.

No, a higher percentage of the public sector workforce (more than half) has a bachelors degree or higher while less than a quarter of the private sector workforce has a bachelors degree or higher. This hasn't always been that way but governments at all levels have outsourced much of the work done by less qualified staff leaving a higher percentage of staff with 4 year degrees or more on the public payroll.

[Teddy B 17,252]

No, a higher percentage of the public sector workforce (more than half) has a bachelors degree or higher while less than a quarter of the private sector workforce has a bachelors degree or higher. This hasn't always been that way but governments at all levels have outsourced much of the work done by less qualified staff leaving a higher percentage of staff with 4 year degrees or more on the public payroll.

Ok, from what I can find we are each half right. You are correct in that the public sector does have a higher percentage of higher educated employees than the private sector. I am correct in saying that the private sector pays those employees higher wages than the public sector.

I found a few articles that adress this issue on the state level, below is a quote from one of them.

When education is taken into account, public sector workers with a four-year college degree or more (60 percent of the public sector workforce) are paid less, on average, than private sector workers with the same level of education. Public sector jobs, however, more often require a college or advanced degree than do private sector jobs. Thus, a comparison of the entire public sector workforce with the entire private sector workforce in the state shows higher overall wages in the sector with more college graduates, the public sector.

My link

Edited August 22, 2012 by Teddy B

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Ok, from what I can find we are each half right. You are correct in that the public sector does have a higher percentage of higher educated employees than the private sector. I am correct in saying that the private sector pays those employees higher wages than the public sector.

I found a few articles that adress this issue on the state level, below is a quote from one of them.

Yes, workers with 4 year degrees or better do earn more in the private sector. Those with less education earn more in the public sector. However, the latter being a significantly smaller share in the public vs. the private sector, overall public sector employees earn more than private sector employees. That's not an apples to apples comparison, however. When you compare apples to apples, the picture changes dramatically and - at least for the workers with higher education, working for the government doesn't exactly pay off.

Same goes for the gender gap - if you compare apples to apples you will find that men and women are compensated equally.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Yes, workers with 4 year degrees or better do earn more in the private sector. Those with less education earn more in the public sector. However, the latter being a significantly smaller share in the public vs. the private sector, overall public sector employees earn more than private sector employees. That's not an apples to apples comparison, however. When you compare apples to apples, the picture changes dramatically and - at least for the workers with higher education, working for the government doesn't exactly pay off.

Same goes for the gender gap - if you compare apples to apples you will find that men and women are compensated equally.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It would be hard to compare apples to apples between government and private sector. First off, no private employer would pay you to lean on a shovel or broom, watching someone work. But, last study I did see, comparing private sector total compensation to government sector total compensation for the same position, showed that the private sector was only making about 70% of what the government sector was. In education, private educators, i.e. charter schools, make about half of what public educators do, and students generally outperform those educated in public schools.

[Teddy B 17,252]

It would be hard to compare apples to apples between government and private sector. First off, no private employer would pay you to lean on a shovel or broom, watching someone work. But, last study I did see, comparing private sector total compensation to government sector total compensation for the same position, showed that the private sector was only making about 70% of what the government sector was. In education, private educators, i.e. charter schools, make about half of what public educators do, and students generally outperform those educated in public schools.

If the "total compensation" you are referring to includes benefits and pension plans, I can see that playing out over the entire life of the employee.

[rocks 494]

None of you have known of a man and woman doing the same job and getting paid less? A friend of mine had a better education than her male counterpart and found out she got paid less. When she complained, they fired her.

[kytwell 179]

None of you have known of a man and woman doing the same job and getting paid less?

Nope in real life.

yes for porno. The girls make 100-300k a year. The guy (who does most of the work) 40-100K a year.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_average_porn_star_salary

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But, last study I did see, comparing private sector total compensation to government sector total compensation for the same position, showed that the private sector was only making about 70% of what the government sector was.

Can you share that study? I'd be interested to see it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

None of you have known of a man and woman doing the same job and getting paid less? A friend of mine had a better education than her male counterpart and found out she got paid less. When she complained, they fired her.

I've known male employees that had the same education as female counterparts but actually a higher grade level - mainly due to years of service - but were paid less than the gals. Does that mean that women get paid more than men for the same - or as in this case lesser - work? Of course not. These things will happen but I don't think these anecdotes are indicative of the overall situation.

[rocks 494]

I've known male employees that had the same education as female counterparts but actually a higher grade level - mainly due to years of service - but were paid less than the gals. Does that mean that women get paid more than men for the same - or as in this case lesser - work? Of course not. These things will happen but I don't think these anecdotes are indicative of the overall situation.

Overall, there are many factors to take into account. As previously mentioned, women have children. As a result some can only work in part time employment, many of these women have menial jobs. They also will not receive benefits etc. So yes, they may generally earn less. If you read about the Lilly Ledbetter vs Goodyear case, you will see that this is an issue for men and women working in the same job.

Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

On a side note, Paul Ryan voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Most good looking women with cleavage will get a lot fewer driving tickets than men.

[X Factor 1,112]

$1.00 is less than minimum wage. I think both sexes should register a complaint.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Can you share that study? I'd be interested to see it.

Here is one for Federal workers: Only professional degrees and doctorates make more in the private sector

Edited August 22, 2012 by The Patriot

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Here is the state of Connecticut, for example: http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/finance/hhs_commission/cost_comparisonworkgroup/peters_-_state_and_private_employee_compensation.pdf