West Virginia state government salary
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West Virginia state government salaries are available through The Herald-Dispatch and the West Virginia State Auditor's Office. [1] [2]
According to 2008 Census data, the state of West Virginia and local governments in the state employed a total of 117,327 people.[3] Of those employees, 93,289 were full-time employees receiving a net pay of $288,640,423 per month and 24,038 were part-time employees paid $20,440,633 per month.[3] More than 57% of those employees, or 67,113 employees, were in education or higher education.[3]
Elected officials' salaries
| Office | '10 Salary | Current Official |
|---|---|---|
| Governor | $150,000 | Earl Ray Tomblin |
| Secretary of State | $95,000 | Natalie Tennant |
| Attorney General | $95,000 | Patrick Morrisey |
| Treasurer | $95,000 | John Perdue |
The salary of West Virginia's governor ranks 44th among U.S. governors' salaries. The average salary earned by U.S. governors is $128,735. The median salary earned by U.S. governors is $129,962.[5]
Legislators' salary
West Virginia state legislators receive an annual salary of $20,000.[6] Legislators receive a per diem of $131per day during the legislative session as set by the compensation commission.[6]
Judicial salaries
| Position | '10 Salary | Current Justice |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Justice | $121,000 | Robin Jean Davis |
| Associate Justice | $121,000 | Brent Benjamin |
| Associate Justice | $121,000 | Allen Loughry |
| Associate Justice | $121,000 | Menis Ketchum |
| Associate Justice | $121,000 | Margaret Workman |
The salary of West Virginia's chief justice ranks 47th among U.S. chief justices' salaries. The average salary earned by U.S. chief justices is $155,230. The median salary earned by U.S. chief justices is $151,284.[7]
The salary of West Virginia's associate justices ranks 45th among U.S. associate justices' salaries. The average salary earned by U.S. associate justices is $151,142. The median salary earned by U.S. associate justices is $145,984.[7]
Teacher Salaries
The Office of School Finance calculates and distributes legislative funding to the West Virginia school districts, including the state aid to schools through the Public School Support Program, provides guidance for the preparation of school district annual financial statements, promulgates rules concerning school finance issues, delivers professional development and assists school district finance officers. [8]
| Beginning Teacher Salary | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| $30,815 | $44,701 |
In May 1982, Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur Recht declared the West Virginia system of financing public schools unconstitutional. He ordered an overhaul of the education system, creation of measurable performance standards and a mechanism to equalize educational opportunities between rich and poor counties.
The ruling stemmed from a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Janet Pauley, a mother of five who attended a PTA meeting in Lincoln County and was appalled to find a crumbling four-room elementary school with broken windows, broken chairs and an open sewer running through the playground. The decision led to creation of the state School Building Authority to oversee major construction projects and the Office of Education Performance Audits to monitor schools' progress. It also tweaked the school aid funding formula and promoted equalization of teacher pay. [10]
Many counties rely on excess or special levies to fund teacher salaries and basic education needs, such as heating and cooling system repairs. In most cases, there is nothing special or extra about what the funds cover -- counties consistently use excess levies as funding streams for essentials. [11]
State employee benefits
Employees of the state of West Virginia enjoy numerous benefits in addition to their salary.[12]
Paid days off
Holidays The state offers 12 paid holidays in each year. The number of paid holidays is above the national average for both public and private sector employees. In addition, employees generally do not work on statewide primary and general election days.[12] Employees receive the following holidays[13]
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- West Virginia Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving and the day after
- Christmas
Vacation Employees earn vacation as follows:[12]
| Service Category | Accrual Rate | Carry-forward Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | 1.25 days/mo = 15 days/year | 30 days |
| 5 years, less than 10 | 1.50 days/mo = 18 days/year | 30 days |
| 10 years, less than 15 | 1.75 days/mo = 21 days/year | 35 days |
| 15 years or more | 2.00 days/mo = 24 days/year | 40 days |
Sick leave Full-time classified employees earn 1.5 days of paid sick leave per month, which amounts to 18 paid sick days per year. There is no limit to the amount of sick leave an employee can accumulate year to year.[12]
Insurance
The state offers a comprehensive indemnity health insurance plan which includes benefits for hospital, surgical, major medical, prescription drug, and other medical expenses. The state also offers medical insurance through a variety of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). The state pays the major portion of the insurance premium. Employee paid premiums for health insurance vary by salary. Optional group dental plans are also available.[12]
The state provides employees with a $10,000 decreasing term life policy with accidental death and dismemberment benefits. Additional group rate insurance is also available to employees.[12]
Retirement
Employees participate in the West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement System. The Plan provides qualifying employees with a lifetime benefit in the years after their State service ends. Active employees with five or more years of contributing service , are eligible for full retirement benefits at age 60, OR whether employed or not when the employee's age plus years of contributing service are equal to or greater than 80, with a minimum age of 55. Each employee contributes 4.5% of salary to the retirement system (tax-deferred).[12]
Employees may participate in the state's Section 457 deferred compensation plan. A 457 plan is a program that allows an employee to defer compensation on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction.[12]
Other benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts The Mountaineer Flexible Benefits program allows tax-free deductions for dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as medical expenses not reimbursed by regular insurance coverage (such as deductibles and co-payments) and child/dependent care expenses.[12]
- Longevity Pay
Employees with 3 or more years of qualifying service receive annual increment pay in recognition of the value of their past and present service. The annual increment is $60 for each full year of qualifying service, and is paid in July of each year.
Lawsuits
In August 2010, the West Virgina Public Worker’s Union, UE Local 170, filed suit against WVOT (West Virginia IT department) trying to stop the department from outsourcing jobs.[14]
Public v. private
Between 2008 and 2009 the number of West Virginia's below the poverty threshold increased by 17 percent.[15]
See also
External links
- West Virginia State Employment Opportunities
- See sample transparency legislation at the Sunshine Standard
- State Budget Solutions, West Virginia
References
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2008 West Virginia Public Employment U.S. Census Data
- ↑ The Council of States Governments The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11
- ↑ ‘‘The Council of State Governments,’’ “The Book of the States: 2008”
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 National Conference of State Legislators 2010 Legislator Compensation Data
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Salary Resource Center" as of Jan. 1, 2010
- ↑ West Virginia Dept. of Education, Office of School Finance
- ↑ [2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z%20TO%202012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z
- ↑ Herald Dispatch, School employees: Funding discrepancies persist, May 14, 2012
- ↑ Herald Dispatch, School employees: Funding discrepancies persist, May 14, 2012
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Benefits
- ↑ Holiday Schedule
- ↑ West Virginia Watchdog, BREAKING: WV Public Workers Union Files Court Action Against Office of Technology, Aug. 30, 2010
- ↑ Watchdog, Below Poverty Threshold Increases in W.Va., Sept. 29, 2010
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