Can the OES data be used to compare private and government pay for similar work?
Occupational wages in the different ownership groups (the private sector, and state, local, and federal governments) are influenced by many factors that the OES measures cannot take into account. Thus, while one can obtain OES data that compare estimates of mean and median wages paid in a wide range of detailed occupations across ownership groups, those comparisons do not explain why they might be different. Among the many reasons are: • Level of work performed. Workers may have different levels of responsibility, despite being in the same occupation. • Age and experience. More experienced workers tend to have higher wages. (As an example, data from the Current Population Survey show that federal workers, on average, are older and have far more work experience with their employer than the typical private-sector worker.) • Cost of living. Workers concentrated in large urban areas with higher costs of living are more likely to have higher wages than those working elsewhere. • Establishme
Related Questions
- If you are using OES data from previous years, please be sure to read "Can OES data be used to compare changes in employment or wages over time?
- How do government and public service salaries compare with similar positions in the private sector?
- Can OES data be used to compare changes in employment or wages over time?
