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, Louisiana has the twenty-fifth 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, #Louisiana had the 25th least productive state and local #government workforce in the country http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #LApol #LAlege #LAsen #LAgov (click to tweet)

As shown in Chart 1, for state and local government employment in 2016, Louisiana employed 17.5 employees for every 100 employees in the private sector (employment ratio) which is 12 percent above the national average of 15.7 and is 20th highest Ratio in the country.

In 2016, #Louisiana state & local #government employed 17.5 for every 100 employed in private sector—the 20th highest ratio in the country and 12% above the US average of 15.7 http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #LApol #LAlege #LAsen #LAgov (click to tweet)

Additionally, Louisiana’s employment ratio has been decreasing. As shown in Chart 2, between 1969 and 2016, the employment ratio decreased by -14 percent to 17.5 in 2016 from 20.4 in 1969. In contrast, the national average 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, Louisiana government employees earn 10 percent more than those in the private sector (compensation ratio) which is -26 percent lower than the national average of 14 percent and is the 23rd lowest compensation ratio in the country.

In 2016, #Louisiana state & local #government compensation was 10% higher than in the private sector—the 23rd lowest ratio in the country and -26% below US average of 14% http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #LApol #LAlege #LAsen #LAgov (click to tweet)

Additionally, Louisiana’s compensation ratio has been increasing. As shown in Chart 4, between 1969 and 2016, the compensation ratio increased by 21 percentage points to 10 percent in 2016 from -11 percent in 1969. This growth rate is faster 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 and benefits that are responsible for Louisiana’s below average government compensation ratio. For state and local wages and salaries in 2016, Louisiana employees earn on -9 percent less than those in the private sector which is the 23rd lowest wages and salaries ratio in the country and slightly lower than the national average of -8 percent.

For state and local benefits in 2016, Louisiana employees earn 102 percent more than those in the private sector which is -20 percent lower than the national average of 127 percent and is the 23rd 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 parish in Louisiana.

The Louisiana parishes with the highest local government employment ratios include (state average is 12.7):

• Allen Parish, LA (91.8)
• Tensas Parish, LA (72.2)
• St. Helena Parish, LA (58.3)
• La Salle Parish, LA (42.9)
• West Carroll Parish, LA (41.3)
• Avoyelles Parish, LA (40.4)
• Jackson Parish, LA (40.2)
• East Carroll Parish, LA (35.9)
• Grant Parish, LA (35.4)
• Concordia Parish, LA (33.5)

The Louisiana parishes with the lowest local government employment ratios include (state average is 12.7):

• Lincoln Parish, LA (11.6)
• Iberville Parish, LA (11.4)
• Ascension Parish, LA (11.2)
• Caddo Parish, LA (11.2)
• Terrebonne Parish, LA (9.4)
• Orleans Parish, LA (8.8)
• Jefferson Parish, LA (8.3)
• Lafayette Parish, LA (7.1)
• East Baton Rouge Parish, LA (6.8)
• Cameron Parish, LA (6.2)

The Louisiana parishes with the highest local government compensation ratios include (state average is 5 percent):

• Madison Parish, LA (55 percent)
• East Carroll Parish, LA (49 percent)
• Franklin Parish, LA (47 percent)
• Tangipahoa Parish, LA (41 percent)
• Bossier Parish, LA (35 percent)
• Concordia Parish, LA (33 percent)
• Red River Parish, LA (32 percent)
• Natchitoches Parish, LA (31 percent)
• West Carroll Parish, LA (29 percent)
• Grant Parish, LA (29 percent)

The Louisiana parishes with the lowest local government compensation ratios include (state average is 5 percent):

• Ascension Parish, LA (-7 percent)
• St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (-9 percent)
• Terrebonne Parish, LA (-10 percent)
• West Baton Rouge Parish, LA (-10 percent)
• St. Mary Parish, LA (-13 percent)
• Plaquemines Parish, LA (-16 percent)
• St. Charles Parish, LA (-23 percent)
• Iberville Parish, LA (-30 percent)
• St. James Parish, LA (-30 percent)
• Cameron Parish, LA (-43 percent)

Overall, it is Louisiana’s higher than average employment ratio that is the primary reason for Louisiana having the 25th 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?