Figure 11: Public sector pay has grown more slowly than private sector pay, widening existing pay gaps

Figure 11: Public sector pay has grown more slowly than private sector pay, widening existing pay gaps

Change in median inflation-adjusted earnings for full-time employees, 2019-2023

5.5%

−0.2%

−5.2%

Private-sector employees

State employees

Local employees

Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey data for full-time, year-round workers. Adjusted for inflation using the annual average Consumer Price Index for each year.Created with Datawrapper