Federal Wage Growth Slowest in Decades

Private sector wages increased by 3.1 percent in 2010 -- slightly more than the 2.5 percent rise in federal wages, according to new Bureau of Economic Analysis data that were highlighted by the Cato @ Liberty blog.

BEA also found federal wage growth was the slowest in at least two decades.

The average federal civilian wage was $83,679 in 2010, 17 percent higher than the average private sector wage of $51,986, the Libertarian think tank's blog noted. The average military wage in 2010 was $71,295.

BEA also compiled data on wage growth for the entire decade. From 2000 to 2010, military wages grew 6.6 percent a year, federal civilian wages 5 percent annually and private sector wages 3.0 percent.