Don't Discount Public-Sector Jobs

With unemployment on the rise, job seekers might want to take another look at local schools, fire houses, police stations and court rooms.

State- and local-government jobs have higher wages and more comprehensive benefits than private-sector jobs, and are cutting back jobs at a much slower rate than the national level, according to independent research and government data.

A recent study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that state and local governments pay out $39.50 per hour in salary and benefits, on average. That's 51% more than the $26.09 per hour offered by the private sector.

...