WASHINGTON, Del., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Education workers made up more than half of the United States' 16.7 million state and local government employees last year, Census figures indicate.
New data released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows there were 8.9 million teachers and other education workers on state and local government payrolls in 2008, a 1.4 percent increase in employment from 2007.
The Census figures indicated local governments -- including counties, cities, townships, special districts and school districts -- accounted for 12.3 million full-time equivalent employees in 2008, compared with 4.4 million full-time equivalents employed by state governments.
"These numbers are useful to a host of data users, including federal agencies, educational and research organizations, and the general public," said Lisa Blumerman, division chief of the Census Bureau's Governments Division. "Professional and academic analysts use the information for trend analysis, to compare public and private sector employment and payrolls in the U.S."
After education, the largest numbers of state and local government employees were found in hospitals (998,000), police protection (952,000) and corrections (748,000), Census officials said.
New data released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows there were 8.9 million teachers and other education workers on state and local government payrolls in 2008, a 1.4 percent increase in employment from 2007.
The Census figures indicated local governments -- including counties, cities, townships, special districts and school districts -- accounted for 12.3 million full-time equivalent employees in 2008, compared with 4.4 million full-time equivalents employed by state governments.
"These numbers are useful to a host of data users, including federal agencies, educational and research organizations, and the general public," said Lisa Blumerman, division chief of the Census Bureau's Governments Division. "Professional and academic analysts use the information for trend analysis, to compare public and private sector employment and payrolls in the U.S."
After education, the largest numbers of state and local government employees were found in hospitals (998,000), police protection (952,000) and corrections (748,000), Census officials said.
