Among the factors that affect earnings are number of hours worked, number of months worked, age, and level of education. These factors affect comparisons between the private and public sectors, since governments tend to employ a relatively small number of part-time workers, seasonal workers, very young workers, very old workers, and workers with low levels of education.

For most ages and levels of education, full-time year-round workers in Michgan tend to have higher earnings in the private sector than in the public sector. Within each age and education category, average earnings tend to be highest for self-employed workers and employees of for-profit enterprises. Federal workers tend to have higher earnings than other public sector employees, and average earnings tend to be similar for employees of state government, local governments, and non-profit organizations.

Source: American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample, 2000-2005.

Number of Full-Time Year-Round Workers in Michigan by Age, Level of Education, and Sector of Employment: 2000-05 (.xls)

Average Earnings of Full-Time Year-Round Workers in Michigan by Age, Level of Education, and Sector of Employment: 2000-05 (.xls)

Average Earnings by Age for Private Sector and Public Sector:
   Chart--Workers with High School Diploma (.pdf)
   Chart--Workers with Bachelor's Degree (.pdf)
   Chart--Workers with Graduate or Professional Degree (.pdf)

Average Earnings by Age and Detailed Sector of Employment:
   Chart--Workers with High School Diploma (.pdf)
   Chart--Workers with Bachelor's Degree (.pdf)
   Chart--Workers with Graduate or Professional Degree (.pdf)