How do you feel the compensation for your job compares with similar jobs in the private sector and in other states? Is there a disparity? Why or why not?

I find the disparities between state employees doing the same job to be unfair. How can an employee with a greater employment service date be paid at a lower salary step than those with less service? Is this fair?
Patricia Aduna, Maryland Professional Employees Council, MD

Compensation is a real sore point with me and my staff. Substandard compensation transcends all levels of employees at the Public Health Labs. For example, Providence Hospital pays fresh-out-of-school Clinical Laboratory Scientists >$50K/yr. The State pays Journeyman-level (5 yr experience) Clinical Laboratory Scientists  $47K.
Bernard Jilly, Alaska Public Employee Asscn./Supervisory Unit, AL

Librarians that work in the private sector such as in a company or special library could easily make twice what we do in the public library. Compared to what public librarians make in other states we are paid comparable. The disparity comes ... when municipalities are budgeting, public libraries are not considered essential services like police, fire and schools.
Daniel Haacker, Massachusetts Library Staff Association, MA