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, North Dakota has the sixth 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, #North Dakota had the 6th most productive state and local #government workforce in the country http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #NDpol #NDsen (click to tweet)

As shown in Chart 1, for state and local government employment in 2016, North Dakota employed 19.1 employees for every 100 employees in the private sector (employment ratio) which is 22 percent above the national average of 15.7 and is the 10th highest ratio in the country.

In 2016, #North Dakota state & local #government employed 19.1 for every 100 employed in private sector—the 10th highest ratio in the country and 22% above US average of 15.7 http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #NDpol #NDsen  (click to tweet)

Additionally, North Dakota’s employment ratio has been declining. As shown in Chart 2, between 1969 and 2016, the employment ratio decreased by -38 percent to 19.1 in 2016 from 30.6 in 1969. This decrease contrasts with 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, government employees earned -3 percent less than those in the private sector (compensation ratio) which is significantly lower than the national average of 14 percent and is the 3rd lowest compensation ratio in the country.

In 2016, #North Dakota state & local #government compensation was -3% lower than in the private sector—the 3rd lowest ratio in the country and well below US average of 14% http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #NDpol #NDsen  (click to tweet)

Additionally, North Dakota’s compensation ratio has been increasing. As shown in Chart 4, between 1969 and 2016, the compensation ratio increased by 6 percentage points to -3 percent in 2016 from -9 percent in 1969. This is a slower increase relative to the national average which increased by 15 percentage points to 14 percent in 2016 from -1 percent in 1969.

As shown in Chart 5, both wages and salaries and benefits contribute to North Dakota’s low government compensation ratio. For state and local wages and salaries in 2016, North Dakota employees earn -17 percent less than those in the private sector which is the 4th lowest wages and salaries ratio in the country and significantly lower than the national average of -8 percent.

For state and local benefits in 2016, North Dakota employees earn 60 percent more than those in the private sector which is -53 percent lower than the national average of 127 percent and is the 6th 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 North Dakota.

The North Dakota counties with the highest local government employment ratios include (state average is 12.1):

• Sioux County, ND (857.6)
• Benson County, ND (257.7)
• Rolette County, ND (116.5)
• Sheridan County, ND (66.7)
• Renville County, ND (37.2)
• Billings County, ND (34.4)
• Golden Valley County, ND (34.1)
• Burke County, ND (33.0)
• Kidder County, ND (32.7)
• McHenry County, ND (32.2)

The North Dakota counties with the lowest local government employment ratios include (state average is 12.1):

• Oliver County, ND (12.4)
• Ward County, ND (11.2)
• Mercer County, ND (10.8)
• Stutsman County, ND (10.3)
• Grand Forks County, ND (10.3)
• Sargent County, ND (10.0)
• Stark County, ND (9.6)
• Burleigh County, ND (8.9)
• Williams County, ND (8.0)
• Cass County, ND (6.4)

The North Dakota counties with the highest local government compensation ratios include (state average is -8 percent):

• Sioux County, ND (54 percent)
• Rolette County, ND (39 percent)
• Logan County, ND (27 percent)
• Billings County, ND (26 percent)
• LaMoure County, ND (17 percent)
• Nelson County, ND (12 percent)
• Barnes County, ND (11 percent)
• Stutsman County, ND (11 percent)
• Grand Forks County, ND (9 percent)
• Towner County, ND (8 percent)

The North Dakota counties with the lowest local government compensation ratios include (state average is -8 percent):

• Mountrail County, ND (-25 percent)
• Williams County, ND (-27 percent)
• McKenzie County, ND (-29 percent)
• Dunn County, ND (-31 percent)
• McLean County, ND (-31 percent)
• Hettinger County, ND (-34 percent)
• Traill County, ND (-39 percent)
• Mercer County, ND (-50 percent)
• Slope County, ND (-56 percent)
• Oliver, ND (-56 percent)

Overall, it is North Dakota’s low compensation ratio, driven by both low wages and salaries and benefits, that is responsible for North Dakota having the 6th best 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?