Study: State Employees in Oklahoma Have Low Pay, Good Benefits

A new study on employee compensation shows state workers in Oklahoma earn less than their counterparts in other states or the private sector, but also enjoy a far more generous benefits package.

The $200,000 study requested by Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders was released on Dec. 6 by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

State workers haven’t received an across-the-board pay raise in seven years, but an analysis by OMES determined that more than one-third of stage agency workers received salary increases last year.

The study recommends the Legislature appropriate $41 million for pay hikes next year.

Two separate groups performed the study under the guidance of a panel that included officials from the governor’s office, Legislature, state agencies and the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.