State releases salary, benefits study

Missouri's state government workers already know they're the worst-paid state workers on average among all 50 states.

Thanks to the just-released new salary and benefits study, they now know they're also paid on average 10.4 percent below market.

"State employees are hardworking public servants who have dedicated their careers to keeping Missouri a great place to live, work and raise a family," Commissioner of Administration Doug Nelson said in a news release. "This study will help determine what can be done to help enhance Missouri's ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified workers."

The final report includes a comprehensive compensation study for state employees - including a review of current compensation practices, an update on the compensation plan and a benefits analysis.

Other findings include:

Total cash compensation - the sum of base salary and incentives (which the state doesn't provide) - is on average 12.6 percent below market.

The benefits offered by the state are above market and improve the state's overall market position. However, state employees remain 4.6 percent below market when totaling their base salary, incentives and benefits.

Adjusting compensation to the threshold of market competitiveness would cost Missouri $13,690,388 because 5,050 state employees currently are paid below that threshold.

Although Missouri isn't the only state offering 10-year vesting for retirement, the competitive labor market - and most other states - offer a shorter vesting period.

A more detailed look at the report and its details will be published in Sunday's News Tribune.