The Mississippi State Personnel Board found that state employees earn an average of $4,810 less than the market rate. However, employees will be eligible for annual increases no greater than 3 percent. The average raise is $1050 or approximately $40 per paycheck before taxes. Clarise Martin (62), a client service representative at Mississippi Department of Human Services in Adams County, said, “It’s insulting to me, after thirty years of service.” “All I can offer you is 3 percent?” Realize that the average Mississippi state employee’s salary is lower than the surrounding states. The 2019 session approved pay increases will not close the gap. The exact amount of the wage increase will vary from one position to another. The state Personnel Board recommends an annual salary “realignment” for each state position. This is done by comparing the salaries for similar jobs in the four contiguous States with the pay in the state for the same jobs. Ryan Beard, Director of Human Capital Core Processes at the Personnel Board, stated that the recommended salary increase is intended to bring the position’s “relevant rate” up to the point where it takes less than 3 percent. The legislation states that every employee will be paid the amount of the position realignment or a 3 percentage increase. The seamstress will get a 3 percent (or $453) raise if she holds the position with the highest recommended realignment percentage, which is $9,268.21, or a 61% increase. The full 3 percent increase will be given to approximately 900 Corrections officers whose salaries range from $24,903 per annum for trainees to $32,205 per annum for sergeants. Corrections Commissioner Pelicia Hal asked legislators to give a pay raise for Corrections officers in September. She said that she was frightened to think about what it would be like to manage a household on the salaries they receive. Entry-level alcoholic beverage control enforcement officers received a $185 per year realignment. This is less than 3 percentage of their $37,000 annual salary. They will get the $200 per year bump. According to the recommendations of the Personnel Board, the executive director for marine resources is eligible to a $0.01 realignment. This would increase his salary from $102,010.69 and $102,010.70. The legislation does not apply to agency heads. There will be no raises for the state’s 2,582 mental healthcare direct care workers, supervisors, and trainees. Their starting salaries range from $18,283 to $24,092. They had realignments last fiscal year. There will be no raises for approximately 4,600 employees, including mental health psychiatrists and nurse practitioners, development authority program managers and wildlife, fisheries, and parks coordinators. Before the 2019 session, the average annual salary for Mississippi state employees was $37.911 per annum. Based on information from the Personnel Board, the average salary for four states in the contiguous region is $49 779. Based on information compiled in December by the Personnel Board, the additional $77.3 million would be required to fully fund the realignment. This would essentially match the salaries of similar positions in the four contiguous States. Kelly Hardwick, executive Director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board, said that “we commend the Legislature” for taking action to address state employee turnover. “Our state employees serve Mississippians every day in fields like engineering, nursing and emergency response. We appreciate the Legislature taking steps to reduce employee turnover and increase employee retention.” Williams stated that he is constantly being thrown into dangerous situations caring for the mentally ill. Williams stated that he has received two raises in the past 10 years, including approximately $1,000 last year. “That’s sad. Williams stated that they’ve been saying that there is no money in their budget. “Now that they have money in the budget, we won’t get comfortable raises.” Martin stated that her raise will increase her monthly income by roughly $20 after taxes. Martin stated that technically, when the money goes to the gas station, it’s not going to buy me half a tank of gasoline, so she’s back to square 1. “… I’m not trying live like a queen or king, but I’m trying to live a simple daily life.” According to the 2020 realignment recommendation of the Personnel Board, Mississippi lawmakers are also paid less than the market rate by $10,000. Editor’s Note: Although the Department of Marine Resources executive director is eligible for a one-cent salary raise, agency heads are not exempt from a salary hike. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to our Spring Member Drive today.