2003
RESULTS
2003 Compensation Report for Mid-Atlantic Governments
Part 2 - Salary Levels
JANUARY 2004
prepared by
Eric Jacobson, Sarah McCloskey, and Charles Whitmore
Institute for Public Administration
College of Human Services, Education & Public Policy
University of Delaware
www.ipa.udel.edu
Background
The purpose of this report is to share the results from the second of two sections of the
2003 Governmental Compensation Survey. For nearly 20 years, the Institute for Public
Administration (IPA)1 has conducted this salary survey for the State of Delaware and numerous
municipal governments. This study identifies trends in salary and compensation practices of
government employers in the Mid-Atlantic region. This section of the salary survey (Part 2)
presents a detailed analysis of average salary levels for 82 state government positions and 41
local government positions. Detailed descriptions of position titles can be found in the State and
Local Position Description Booklets. The other section of the survey, the salary administration
section (Part 1), is presented in a separate report. The salary administration section includes
questions about general salary adjustments and tactics used to reduce compensation spending.
Methodology
To conduct the 2003 study, the IPA sent electronic links of this year’s survey via email to
twenty state and local governments and the University of Delaware. Respondents received the
links on October 1, 2003, and were asked to complete and return the survey by October 24, 2003.
A total of eight states and eleven local governments in the Mid-Atlantic region completed the
survey. We have included the University of Delaware in the group of local governments for
calculations and summaries. For a complete list of the 2003 survey participants see Table 1.
Results
Results from Part 2 of the compensation survey are divided into three tables, each
consisting of an eight-column worksheet. The data reported applies to the base salary of fulltime (30 hours or more per week) employees. Column one in each table is the position title. A
1
The IPA is a research organization within the College of Human Services, Education & Public Policy at the
University of Delaware (www.ipa.udel.edu).
2
list of position title descriptions can be found in the State and Local Position Description
Booklets. In Table 2, Combined State and Local Averages, the second column, found only in
Table 2, is titled Number of Respondents. This number represents the total number of
participants that provided any useable information for a particular position.
The next column in all three tables, Actual Average Salary, represents the average
amount paid for that position among all the reporting respondents. The next two columns,
Actual Minimum and Actual Maximum are the average minimum and maximum amounts being
paid to employees in that position. Following these columns are Formal Minimum and Formal
Maximum, which are based on employers with a formal pay plan. These are the average values
for the minimum and maximum salaries that are stated “on the books” in accordance with a
formal pay plan. The last two columns are entitled Actual/Formal Minimum and
Actual/Formal Maximum. If employers did not report formal minimum and maximum salaries,
their actual values are used instead to calculate the averages. This allows us to include a greater
number of responses in the calculations of averages.
Finally, in the Final State Averages and Final Local Averages tables (Table 3 and Table
4) the bottom number in each cell (under the salary) is the number of responses used to calculate
that average. In some cases, as noted in the tables, there was insufficient data to report or there
was no data available at all.
Discussion
After coping for three years with a weak national economy and fiscal crises in state and
local governments, the economy appears to be turning around. This recovery could be good
news for government employees who suffered pay cuts, layoffs, and tax increases during recent
years. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, “The average white-collar worker or
3
midlevel executive can expect a wage increase of between 3% and 3.6% next year, roughly the
same rise as this year.”2
However, despite signs of recovery in the economy, employees may still have to cope
with minimal raises and increasing insurance expenses. As spending for health insurance
increases and continues to strain state and local governments, employers are shifting a large
share of the burden to their employees. A recent New York Times article claims, “State budgets
will continue to be stressed by slow job growth and rapidly rising health care costs.” 3 These
rising costs may continue to create budget shortfalls, creating pressure for managers to cut
compensation spending. Also, with unemployment at a 6% rate, employers have few incentives
to raise compensation rates to attract new workers.
A useful resource for compensation information is the U.S Department of Labor’s Bureau
of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS’ National Compensation Survey (NCS) contains,
“Comprehensive measures of occupational earnings; compensation costs trends, benefit
incidence, and detailed plan provisions.” The most recent versions of survey results can be
found on the BLS website. 4 Also located on this website is information about the Employment
Cost Index and employer costs for employee compensation. Employers can use this reference to
compare their compensation practices with national trends.
2
Opdyke, Jeff. “How Big Will Your Raise Be?” Wall Street Journal. 11/20/03
Broder, John. “Despite Rebound, States’ Budgets are Still Reeling.” New York Times. 1/5/04
4
U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov/ncs/home.htm
3
4
Data Tables:
Table 1:
State Governments:
Delaware
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Local Governments:
City of Newark, DE
City of Wilmington, DE
Kent County, DE
New Castle County, DE
Sussex County, DE
University of Delaware, DE
Cecil County, MD
Kent County, MD
Salisbury, MD
Chester County, PA
Delaware County, PA
Table 2: Combined State and Local Averages
Table 3: Final State Averages
Table 4: Final Local Averages
5
Institute for Public Administration
College of Human Services, Education & Public Policy
University of Delaware
180 Graham Hall
Newark, DE 19716-7380
phone: 302-831-8971 e-mail: ipa@udel.edu
fax: 302-831-3488
www.ipa.udel.edu
The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) links the research and resources of the University of Delaware with the management,
information, and leadership needs of schools and local, state, and regional governments in the Delaware Valley. IPA provides
assistance to agencies and local governments through direct staff assistance and research projects as well as training programs
and policy forums. IPA’s wide range of program areas includes civic education, conflict resolution, health-care policy, land-use
planning, local, state and international government, school leadership, water resources, and women’s leadership. IPA’s main office
is on the University’s Newark campus in 180 Graham Hall. Jerome Lewis is the director of the Institute and can be reached at 302831-8971.
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