Nationwide, average hourly earnings, white-collar jobs, private sector: $22.21

Average hourly earnings, white collar, state and local government: $26.32

Blue-collar private sector: $15.75

Blue-collar state and local government: $17.96

Nationwide, employer cost per hour worked, private industry: $26.42 ($7.75 on benefits)

Employer cost per hour worked, state and local government: $37.73 ($12.69 on benefits)

Maine, average yearly earnings, state government workers: $43,291

Maine, average yearly earnings, private sector (all jobs): $33,048

(2005 data)

Maine, average yearly earnings, state and local government workers: $43,699

Maine, average yearly earnings, private sector (minus self-employed, farmers and military): $46,083

(2006 data)

Maine, average annual benefit package, state government workers: $12,979

Maine, average annual benefit package, private sector (minus self-employed, farmers): $6,727

(2006 data)

From the Maine State Employee Association’s average annual salary comparison, (state figures as of February 2008, private as of 2006)

Secretary

State salary: $29,906

Private: $27,414

Biologist

State salary: $42,708

Private: $48,692

Nurse III

State salary: $51,678

Private: $55,057

Carpenter

State salary: $30,652

Private: $32,614

Source: U.S. Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Standards

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