These salary figures do not include the value of health, pension and other benefits, which averaged $40,785 per federal employee in 2008 vs. $9,882 per private

These salary figures do not include the value of health, pension and other benefits, which averaged $40,785 per federal employee in 2008 vs. $9,882 per private worker, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. I think that's a pretty large discrepancy to not include in the study. At the end of the article, state and city salaries are also mentioned. Again, a false comparison since it is on straight salary without mention of guaranteed pension and other benefits (eg. MEA members not paying SS).