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Labor Market Information Center

2022 Annual Report

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

Public Administration Supersector

NAICS Sector 92

The Public Administration supersector contains information on Federal, State and Local Governments. Tribal governments are included in local government. A change in federal law requires Indian tribes to be classified similarly to state and local governments.

Federal Government

The number of Federal Government workers decreased by 250 (2.2%) from 2021 to 2022 to a new level of 11,205. Federal government establishments during 2022 had a $4,001 (5.5%) increase in annual pay for a new level of $76,642. This remains one of the highest paying industries in South Dakota.

Federal government is a structure of government that differentiates up power between a strong larger central government and smaller local and state governments and remain integrated to one another by the federal government. Some areas of public life are under the control of the national government, and some areas are under control of the local governments. Federal government systems and their powers were established by the constitution. The constitution stipulates what areas of public life the federal government will take control over and what areas of public life the state governments will take control over. Perfect examples of federal governments are those that function best in large countries where there exist broad diverse groups of people with unique needs with a common culture. Thus, the federal government helps to address the wide multiplicity of needs of a geographical area. Only the federal government can regulate interstate and foreign commerce, declare war, set taxing, spending and other national policies.

Federal worker levels in National Security and International Affairs agencies experienced a decrease of 31 workers during 2022. The new total of workers is now 1,078. Annual pay had an increase of $1,868 to settle at $66,668 for its new annual average. This category is represented by government establishments of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard primarily engaged in national security and related activities. In recent history there has been more need to deploy military personnel to assist with protection and control situations. Some losses of workers were felt within International Affairs as these agencies of the U.S. and foreign governments are engaged in programs relating to other nations and peoples.

The Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities subsector groups government establishments engaged in the administration of justice, public order and safety programs. This group experienced a loss of 23 workers in 2022. The types of agencies in this category are the courts, police protection and correctional institutions. Other public order and safety governmental establishments such as disaster preparedness, emergency planning and management offices had small worker declines.

Administration of Economic Programs realized a loss of 15 workers between 2021 and 2022. These government establishments are primarily engaged in the administration, promotion and development of economic resources, which includes business, industry and tourism. Other governmental establishments are responsible for the development of general statistical data and analysis. These entities are also involved in the promotion of the general well-being of the governed area. Illustrative examples of such entities would be trade commissions, consumer protection offices, small business development agencies and energy development and program administrations. Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs agencies are included in this industry and some losses in employment were recognizable. These establishments plan, administer, regulate, inspect and investigate transportation services and facilities.

There were 46 workers added to the federal worker numbers within Administration of Human Resource Programs during 2022. This gain of workers aided in offsetting losses in other governmental agencies. Public health programs and services require workers to carry out health activities, mental health assistance and immunization services. This group also includes offices of veteran’s affairs offices and benefits program administration. They often supply assistance, training, counseling and other services to veterans and their dependents or survivors.

State Government

Worker numbers in State Government decreased by 41 workers from 2021 to 2022 for a new total of 14,331 employees. The past few years state government employment has had only minor increases or decreases spread out among several agencies. In the same time frame, state government showed an increase in annual pay for a new level of $58,390 which equates to 6.9% growth. The state legislature approved cost of living increases for state workers.

State government is a component of government that uniquely makes and enforces laws for a state. State governments administer to the local needs of an area. State governments have certain reserved powers, specific authority and responsibilities that the national government does not have. In general, state governments are responsible for regulating trade within state borders and for establishing regulations for local corporations. State governments also administer to the needs of the many smaller local governments by establishing charters for county and city government. State governments play a dynamic role in regulating the educational system of their states and establishing licensing rules for professionals who practice in the state. State government exercises essential functions in the United States. They are responsible for governing to the local needs and problems of the state. The state constitution usually stipulates what powers and responsibilities state government has. They propose, strategize and pay for most roads, operate public schools, provide water, establish zoning regulations, arrange elections for their citizens and prepare policy.

State governmental agencies bracketed in Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities experienced a loss of workers during 2022. This grouping decreased 16 workers or -0.9%. Employment suffered among correctional institutions. This industry comprises government establishments primarily engaged in managing and operating correctional institutions. Facilities are generally designed for the confinement, correction and rehabilitation of adult and juvenile offenders sentenced by a court.

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs was restructured; therefore, some worker loss was noted in 2022. The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources was reorganized and became a component of the Department of Agriculture. This consolidation of departments eliminated some duplicate activities. Annual wages also decreased by $829 to top off at $51,386. On a brighter note, some conservation programs ended up with more workers. Other agencies in this industry are land management administrations, recreation programs and fish and wildlife programs having some responsibility for the increase. The public enjoys the many outdoor activities associated with these programs and workers provide labor to carry out the many functions being offered.

Administration of Economic Programs experienced some worker additions during 2022. This grouping had a growth spurt of 58 workers or 8.2%. Annual pay also improved by 11.0% gaining $5,420 to finish at $54,632 for the year. The increase of workers was realized due to internal regrouping or redistribution of employees within Departments of Environmental and Natural Resources and Agriculture. Agriculture is the life blood of South Dakota and the state’s largest industry, so it is fitting agencies continue to support agricultural related programs. State government establishments administrate and coordinate marketing and promotional activities. Agencies in this industry also provide regulation and control of inspection of food, plants, animals and other agricultural products.

State governmental agencies within Administration of Human Resources Programs attained some workers from 2021 to 2022. The roster of workers increased by 14, bringing the new total to 1,388. Annual pay had an increase of 7.2% reaching an average of $57,458 for 2022. Public health programs necessitated additional employees. Health programs and services such as immunization and disease services and mental health program administrations are components of this industry. Health planning and development agencies and health statistical services aided in fulfilling the planning and coordination of the various services.
 
Educational Services is an additional subsector that showed increases in employment during 2022. Tallying up the numbers resulted in a 56 worker increase. There are now 5,572 employees working in the educational field. Annual pay recorded a gain as well, reaching $59,884. Higher education providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects led the increase for this state worker category. People continue to realize the importance of education. There are many options for students to choose and with the flexible education programs now being offered, educators and staff are being added to the payrolls. Instructors are needed and they can provide their services in a wide variety of settings leading to granting degrees at baccalaureate or graduate levels.  

Local Government

Local Government worker levels increased by 1,006 workers or 2.1% from 2021 to 2022 for a new figure of 49,125 employees. Worker gains the past two years made up for the losses in 2020. Local government displayed a $1,214 or 2.9% increase in annual pay for a new level of $42,409 during the 2022-time frame.

Local Government is an administrative body for a slighter-scale geographic area, such as a city, town, county, or district. Local governments extract their authority from the state in which they are located. Local governments routinely have control over their exclusive geographical region and cannot pass or enforce laws that will affect a wider area. Local governments can elect officials, enact taxes and do many other things that a national government would do, but on a smaller scale. The authorities contracted to local governments originates from the state in which they are localized and from the state constitution.

Educational Services experienced an expansion of worker levels throughout 2022. This industry gained 645 workers, finishing the year at 26,581 or 2.5% growth. Annual pay increased to finish 2022 at $42,034 a 2.8% gain. Elementary and secondary schools involved in delivering academic courses and associated course work that encompass a basic preparatory education multiplied its worker levels, comparable to last year’s gains. Establishments provide instruction and training in a wide selection of subjects. Junior colleges and community colleges are categorized under Educational Services and they displayed worker level expansion. These entities may provide instruction in diverse settings, such as the establishments or client’s training facilities, educational institutions or the workplace. Compared to 2021, schools were more back to normal operations following the COVID-19 pandemic. Classrooms were filling up again and schools were re-staffing accordingly to provide teaching and extra curriculum activities. The educational services workforce makes up more than 50% of all the employment in local government. Local government plays a key role in public education in South Dakota and throughout the United States from kindergarten to community college. Local Government provides primary funding for public schools, using money largely raised through state and local taxes.

Executive, Legislative Offices and Other General Government Support establishments showed an uptick in employment levels in 2022. A net gain of 165 workers was noted, bringing 2022 totals to 17,873. Annual wages rose by $1,159 for a new annual average of $42,914. Executive and legislative office combinations belong in this group. This industry is comprised by governmental establishments serving as councils, boards of commissioners and legislative bodies. These types of offices offer planning, coordination and technical assistance. They also oversee programs at a regional level and can act as intermediaries between local government and the state or federal government. Other general government support agencies and tribal governments are included in this grouping. Public property management services along with purchasing and supply agencies are valuable agencies offering a range of services support for procuring supplies and equipment, so business operations are maintained. It is important to remember tribal government employment and pay data has been included in local government since 2001.

Other public administration subsectors produced very little change or no change throughout 2022. Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development had a small increase in workers. This grouping comprises governmental establishments such as building standards agencies, housing authorities, community and county development agencies. Public housing programs or non-market housing remains steady and available to assist people so their lives can be improved. The goal of non-market housing is providing affordable housing options to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes.

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