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, Wisconsin has the twenty-third 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, #Wisconsin had the 23rd most productive state and local #government workforce in the country http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #WIpolitics #WIleg #WIsen #WIgov (click to tweet)

As shown in Chart 1, for state and local government employment in 2016, Wisconsin employed 15.6 employees for every 100 employees in the private sector (employment ratio) which is -1 percent below the national average of 15.7 and is the 20th lowest ratio in the country.

In 2016, #Wisconsin state & local #government employed 15.6 for every 100 employed in private sector—the 20th lowest ratio in the country and -1% below US average of 15.7 http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #WIpolitics #WIleg #WIsen #WIgov  (click to tweet)

Additionally, Wisconsin’s employment ratio has been decreasing. As shown in Chart 2, between 1969 and 2016, the employment ratio decreased by -8 percent to 15.6 in 2016 from 16.6 in 1969. This is contrast to 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 11 percent more than those in the private sector (compensation ratio) which is -20 percent lower than the national average of 14 percent and is the 25th lowest compensation ratio in the country.

In 2016, #Wisconsin state & local #government compensation was 11% higher than in the private sector—the 25th lowest ratio in the country and -20% below US average of 14% http://bit.ly/2BDEhpN @keypolicydata #WIpolitics #WIleg #WIsen #WIgov  (click to tweet)

Additionally, Wisconsin’s compensation ratio has been increasing. As shown in Chart 4, between 1969 and 2016, the compensation ratio increased by 15 percentage points to 11 percent in 2016 from -4 percent in 1969. This is on par with 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 Wisconsin’s lower than average government compensation ratio. For state and local wages and salaries in 2016, Wisconsin employees earn -10 percent less than those in the private sector which is the 20th lowest wages and salaries ratio in the country and lower than the national average of -8 percent.

For state and local benefits in 2016, Wisconsin employees earn 107 percent more than those in the private sector which is -16 percent lower than the national average of 127 percent and is the 22nd 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 Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin counties with the highest local government employment ratios include (state average is 11.1):

• Forest County, WI (108.1)
• Jackson County, WI (84.6)
• Bayfield County, WI (53.3)
• Florence County, WI (49.2)
• Shawano County (includes Menominee), WI (46.2)
• Burnett County, WI (42.3)
• Vilas County, WI (34.0)
• Sawyer County, WI (33.7)
• Lafayette County, WI (32.6)
• Waushara County, WI (32.1)

The Wisconsin counties with the lowest local government employment ratios include (state average is 11.1):

• Outagamie County, WI (9.6)
• Walworth County, WI (9.5)
• Dane County, WI (9.3)
• Washington County, WI (9.2)
• Sheboygan County, WI (9.1)
• Milwaukee County, WI (8.8)
• Eau Claire County, WI (8.6)
• Winnebago County, WI (8.2)
• Ozaukee County, WI (7.9)
• Waukesha County, WI (6.5)

The Wisconsin counties with the highest local government compensation ratios include (state average is 10 percent):

• Iron County, WI (65 percent)
• Bayfield County, WI (47 percent)
• Vilas County, WI (46 percent)
• Grant County, WI (45 percent)
• Forest County, WI (44 percent)
• Walworth County, WI (38 percent)
• Kenosha County, WI (35 percent)
• Oneida County, WI (32 percent)
• Adams County, WI (31 percent)
• Florence County, WI (31 percent)

The Wisconsin counties with the lowest local government compensation ratios include (state average is -10 percent):

• Pierce County, WI (4 percent)
• Dunn County, WI (2 percent)
• Pepin County, WI (2 percent)
• Waukesha County, WI (2 percent)
• Marinette County, WI (2 percent)
• Winnebago County, WI (-1 percent)
• Price County, WI (-5 percent)
• Waupaca County, WI (-8 percent)
• Lincoln County, WI (-18 percent)
• Jackson County, WI (-41 percent)

Overall, it is primarily Wisconsin’s lower than average compensation ratio, driven by both low wages and salaries and benefits, that is responsible for Wisconsin having the 23rd 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?