Utah’s State and Local Government Workforce is the Thirteenth “Most Productive” in 2016

Feb 08, 2018

There are two major elements to look at when examining a state’s state and local government workforce—the number of employees and the level of their pay. In this analysis, each element is measured relative to the national average and summed together to obtain an overall measure of workforce productivity. Based on this state and local government workforce productivity index, Utah has the thirteenth most productive state and local government workforce in the country.

Click here to view our full government workforce data app with details by state, by county, level of government, and over time.

In 2016, #Utah had the 13^th most productive state and local #government workforce in the country http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #UTpol #UTleg #UTsen #UTgov (click to tweet)

As shown in Chart 1, for state and local government employment in 2016, Utah employed 16.2 employees for every 100 employees in the private sector (employment ratio) which is 3 percent above the national average of 15.7 and is the 24^th lowest ratio in the country.

Chart 1 Utah State and Local Government Employees per 100 Private Sector Employees Rank 2016.jpg

In 2016, #Utah state & local #government employed 16.2 for every 100 employed in private sector—the 24^th lowest ratio in the country and 3% above US average of 15.7 http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #UTpol #UTleg #UTsen #UTgov (click to tweet)

Additionally, Utah’s employment ratio has been decreasing. As shown in Chart 2, between 1969 and 2016, the employment ratio decreased by -27 percent to 16.2 in 2016 from 22.2 in 1969. This is in contrast to the national average which increased by 2 percent to 15.7 in 2016 from 15.4 in 1969.

Chart 2 Utah State and Local Employment Ratio vs. U.S. Average 1969 to 2016.JPG

As shown in Chart 3, for state and local government compensation in 2016, government employees earned 6 percent more than those in the private sector (compensation ratio) which is 59 percent lower than the national average of 14 percent and is the 14^th lowest compensation ratio in the country.

Chart 3 Utah State and Local Government Compensation as a Percent of the Private Sector Rank 2016.jpg

In 2016, #Utah state & local #government compensation was 6% higher than in the private sector—the 14^th lowest ratio in the country and 59% below US average of 14% http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #UTpol #UTleg #UTsen #UTgov (click to tweet)

Additionally, Utah’s compensation ratio has been increasing. As shown in Chart 4, between 1969 and 2016, the compensation ratio increased by 6 percentage points to 6 percent in 2016 from 0 percent in 1969. This is in contrast to the national average which increased by 15 percentage points to 14 percent in 2016 from -1 percent in 1969.

Chart 4 Utah State and Local Compensation Ratio vs. U.S. Average 1969 to 2016.JPG

As shown in Chart 5, both wages and salaries and benefits contribute to Utah’s lower than average government compensation ratio. For state and local wages and salaries in 2016, Utah employees earn -13 percent less than those in the private sector which is the 12^th lowest wages and salaries ratio in the country and significantly lower than the national average of -8 percent.

Chart 5 Utah Components of State and Local Compensation Ratio 1969 to 2016.JPG

For state and local benefits in 2016, Utah employees earn 96 percent more than those in the private sector which is -24 percent lower than the national average of 127 percent and is the 18^th lowest benefit ratio in the country.

Click here to view our full government workforce data app with details by state, by county, level of government, and over time.

Of course, efficiency for local government helps to be measured on a more local scale. As such, we have also calculated the employment and compensations ratios of local government workers for every county in Utah.

The Utah local government employment ratios are (from highest to lowest, state average is 10.1):

Piute County, UT (130.7)
Daggett County, UT (62.1)
San Juan County, UT (41.0)
Beaver County, UT (37.5)
Duchesne County, UT (35.0)
Emery County, UT (31.9)
Sanpete County, UT (31.3)
Rich County, UT (31.2)
Juab County, UT (26.6)
Morgan County, UT (26.5)
Uintah County, UT (26.1)
Millard County, UT (24.5)
Wayne County, UT (20.8)
Kane County, UT (20.4)
Carbon County, UT (19.8)
Tooele County, UT (19.7)
Wasatch County, UT (17.1)
Sevier County, UT (16.3)
Garfield County, UT (15.8)
Iron County, UT (15.2)
Grand County, UT (13.7)
Box Elder County, UT (13.2)
Davis County, UT (12.9)
Cache County, UT (11.4)
Washington County, UT (11.0)
Summit County, UT (10.5)
Weber County, UT (10.3)
Utah County, UT (9.9)
Salt Lake County, UT (7.4)

The Utah local government compensation ratios are (from highest to lowest, state average is -8 percent):

Rich County, UT (49 percent)
Garfield County, UT (36 percent)
Daggett County, UT (32 percent)
Wasatch County, UT (29 percent)
Grand County, UT (29 percent)
Kane County, UT (28 percent)
Iron County, UT (27 percent)
Washington County, UT (19 percent)
Piute County, UT (12 percent)
Summit County, UT (11 percent)
Wayne County, UT (11 percent)
Sanpete County, UT (10 percent)
Beaver County, UT (10 percent)
San Juan County, UT (9 percent)
Cache County, UT (7 percent)
Weber County, UT (6 percent)
Tooele County, UT (2 percent)
Sevier County, UT (0 percent)
Davis County, UT (-3 percent)
Utah County, UT (-5 percent)
Box Elder County, UT (-10 percent)
Uintah County, UT (-11 percent)
Salt Lake County, UT (-13 percent)
Morgan County, UT (-13 percent)
Carbon County, UT (-15 percent)
Millard County, UT (-15 percent)
Juab County, UT (-16 percent)
Duchesne County, UT (-20 percent)
Emery County, UT (-30 percent)

Overall, it is Utah’s lower than average compensation ratio, driven by both low wages and salaries and benefits, that is responsible for Utah having the 13^th best state and local government workforce productivity index.

Click here to view our full government workforce data app with details by state, by county, level of government, and over time.

Finally, don’t forget to watch our exclusive time-lapse video of our state and local government workforce productivity index over the last 47 years! See if your state has been above or below the national average?

J. Scott Moody

Scott has nearly 20 years of experience as a public policy economist. He is the author, co-author and editor of over 180 studies and books. His professional experience also includes positions at the American Conservative Union Foundation, Granite Institute, Federalism In Action, Maine Heritage Policy Center, Tax Foundation, and Heritage Foundation.