Feb 11, 2015

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, Vermont has the seventh least 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, #Vermont had the 7th least productive state and local #government workforce in the country http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #VTpoli #VTleg #VTgov (click to tweet)

As shown in Chart 1, for state and local government employment in 2016, Vermont employed 17.7 employees for every 100 employees in the private sector (employment ratio) which is above the national average of 15.7 and is 18th highest ratio in the country.

In 2016, #Vermont state & local #government employed 17.7 for every 100 employed in private sector—the 18th highest ratio in the country and above the US average of 15.7 http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #VTpoli #VTleg #VTgov (click to tweet)

Additionally, Vermont’s employment ratio has been increasing. As shown in Chart 2, between 1969 and 2016, the employment ratio grew by 11 percent to 17.7 in 2016 from 16 in 1969. This growth rate is above the national average which increased by 2 percent to 15.7 in 2016 from 15.4 in 1969.

As shown in Chart 3, for state and local government compensation in 2016, Vermont government employees earning 25 percent more than those in the private sector (compensation ratio) which is 84 percent higher than the national average of 14 percent and is the 7th highest compensation ratio in the country.

In 2016, #Vermont state & local #government compensation was 25% higher than in the private sector—the 7th highest ratio in the country and 84% above US average of 14% http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #VTpoli #VTleg #VTgov (click to tweet)

Additionally, Vermont’s compensation ratio has been increasing. As shown in Chart 4, between 1969 and 2016, the compensation ratio increased by 27 percentage points to 25 percent in 2016 from -2 percent in 1969. This is a significantly faster growth rate than the national average which increased by 15 percentage points to 14 percent in 2016 from -1 percent in 1969.

As shown in Chart 5, it is state and local wages and salaries that are responsible for Vermont’s high government compensation ratio. For state and local wages and salaries in 2016, Vermont employees earn 4 percent more than those in the private sector which is the 6th highest wages and salaries ratio in the country and significantly higher than the national average of -8 percent.

For state and local benefits in 2016, Vermont employees earn 114 percent more than those in the private sector which is -10 percent lower than the national average of 127 percent and is the 17th highest 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 Vermont.

The Vermont local government employment ratios are (from highest to lowest):

• Essex County, VT (65.5)
• Grand Isle County, VT (34.0)
• Orange County, VT (22.6)
• Franklin County, VT (18.2)
• Orleans County, VT (16.2)
• Windsor County, VT (14.3)
• Caledonia County, VT (13.8)
• Windham County, VT (11.9)
• Rutland County, VT (11.2)
• Lamoille County, VT (10.7)
• Addison County, VT (10.6)
• Bennington County, VT (9.9)
• Washington County, VT (9.8)
• Chittenden County, VT (8.2)

The Vermont local government compensation ratios are (highest to lowest):

• Lamoille County, VT (37 percent)
• Windsor County, VT (23 percent)
• Addison County, VT (20 percent)
• Grand Isle County, VT (19 percent)
• Orleans County, VT (17 percent)
• Rutland County, VT (17 percent)
• Bennington County, VT (15 percent)
• Caledonia County, VT (14 percent)
• Orange County, VT (14 percent)
• Chittenden County, VT (13 percent)
• Franklin County, VT (12 percent)
• Windham County, VT (11 percent)
• Washington County, VT (9 percent)
• Essex County, VT (-29 percent)

Overall, it is Vermont’s high compensation ratio, driven by wages and salaries, that is the primary reason for Vermont having the 7th worst state and local government workforce productivity index.

Read more about the "government workforce productivity Index" methodology here.

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?