A Summary of the State of Texas Workforce for Fiscal Year 2004
December 2004
Report Number 05-704
Overall Conclusion
Texas state government employs 142,394 full-time, classified employees. The average state employee is 42 years old, has worked with his or her current agency nearly 8 years, and makes $32,681 a year. The majority of state employees are female and white, work in the Central Texas region, and work in professional and protective services positions. The composition of the state workforce generally mirrors that of Texas's civilian labor force, although there are more females and more minorities in state government.
Due to changes in demographic trends and the demand for higher skills, there will continue to be workforce challenges for the State of Texas. Workforce challenges for the State of Texas include:
- Turnover. Turnover cost the State approximately $345 million in fiscal year 2004.
- Inexperienced workforce. Almost half of state employees have fewer than five years of experience with their current agencies.
- Aging workforce. The workforce is rapidly becoming eligible for retirement. Even in light of recent economic conditions, many aging state employees may be considering retirement, which would result in the loss of state and institutional knowledge.
- Non-competitive salaries. Average salaries for state employees have increased over the last five years; however, they remain below the average salaries for civilian workers.
- Rising health care costs. The State's expenditures for employee health care have risen 47 percent over the past five years and are expected to rise another 5 percent in fiscal year 2005.
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