What Public Employees Make The Texas Tribune

Texas State Employee Salaries: Find & Compare Government Pay

What Public Employees Make The Texas Tribune

By  Prof. Roderick Stoltenberg PhD

Are you curious about how your tax dollars are being spent and the salaries of those working in Texas state government? Transparency in public sector compensation is crucial, and understanding the financial details of state agencies is essential for informed citizenry.

For those seeking insights into the financial workings of the Texas government, the Texas Tribune's Government Salaries Explorer stands as a valuable resource. This database, compiled by the non-profit and nonpartisan news organization, offers a comprehensive look at the compensation of state employees. Updated regularly, the explorer allows users to search for individuals or agencies, compare median salaries across departments, and gain a clearer picture of how public funds are allocated.

The Tribune's commitment to transparency is evident in its detailed data, updated four times a year to reflect the most current information. This initiative allows journalists, researchers, and the public to scrutinize state employee compensation, fostering accountability and public trust. However, it's important to note that the explorer focuses on state government employees and excludes those in universities, public hospitals, and local government positions, as well as those earning less than the median salary. This targeted approach allows for a more focused analysis of the state's core agencies.

To illustrate the scope and accessibility of this data, let's delve into some specific examples of salary information as of April 1, 2025. This information is available through the Texas Tribunes database, allowing you to easily see salary information and compare within the agencies.

Agency Employees (as of April 1, 2025) Median Salary
Comptroller of Public Accounts 2,914 $79,000
Texas Workforce Commission 4,677 $55,066
General Land Office and Veteran's Land Board 818 $90,185
Texas Education Agency 1,218 $96,731
House of Representatives 1,117 $42,000
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 2,991 $68,628
Public Utility Commission of Texas 263 $100,656
Senate 683 $59,400
Employees Retirement System 424 $94,834
Department of Public Safety 10,877 $66,178
Texas Department of Transportation 13,515 $64,854
Office of the Attorney General 3,979 $63,393

These figures offer a snapshot of the compensation landscape across various state agencies, demonstrating the range of salaries and the number of employees within each department. These details are gathered to create the database which is available to the public.

While the Texas Tribune's database provides significant insights, it's essential to understand its scope and limitations. As mentioned, the data primarily focuses on state government employees, with exclusions for university, hospital, and local government workers. The absence of salary information for those earning below the median should also be taken into consideration.

Beyond the state level, salary information for other government entities is also available, allowing for broader comparisons. For example, data for the City of Houston in 2023 shows an average annual salary of $67,517 and a median salary of $66,663, with 23,637 employees. Similarly, Travis County reported an average annual salary of $57,631 and a median salary of $56,232, with 7,923 employees in 2024. These numbers are easily seen in the database and allow for cross comparison.

It is important to analyze the numbers carefully. Considering the City of Houston, the average salary is 10 percent lower than the national average and 24 percent lower than the state average. Similarly, the City of Austins average salary of $67,195 in 2024 is 10 percent lower than the national average but 24 percent higher than the state average. Such comparisons highlight the variations in compensation across different regions and government levels. Remember that these numbers can change from year to year.

To access this detailed compensation data, visit the Texas Tribune's Government Salaries Explorer. Information can be found by searching by date or agency and provides a user-friendly interface for exploring the data. The data is obtained by requesting salary records from the state comptroller through the Texas Public Information Act. This guarantees that all data is public.

It is also important to note the context of this data. For example, the Texas Education Agency employed 1,218 people as of April 1, 2025, with a median salary of $96,731. The Texas Tribune provides data for state government employees and journalists and is updated four times a year. This is an important component of keeping the data current.

These resources demonstrate the importance of transparency in government operations. By making salary information accessible, the Texas Tribune and other entities empower citizens to understand how public funds are utilized and to hold their elected officials accountable. As you navigate this data, consider the implications of the salary structures and the impact they have on various communities and the state as a whole.

The availability of this information allows for a more informed public discourse. It enables citizens to analyze government spending, assess the value of public service, and make informed decisions regarding the allocation of public resources. Understanding the intricacies of state employee compensation is a critical component of responsible citizenship and helps to promote a more accountable and transparent government.

The data presented in these resources offers a valuable starting point for investigating government salaries. Further research, analysis, and cross-referencing with other data sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nuances of compensation within the Texas government system.

The ability to search for employees or agencies, view median salaries, and compare data across different departments is key to fostering a greater understanding of state government finances. Its a powerful tool for journalists, researchers, and the public alike, promoting transparency and accountability in the allocation of public funds.

As the states population continues to grow, and its economy evolves, the availability of up-to-date and accurate salary information becomes increasingly crucial. It plays a vital role in allowing citizens to follow the states financial trends and ensuring government officials are held accountable for responsible fiscal management.

The information provided by the Texas Tribune, alongside information from other sources, ensures that citizens, journalists, and policymakers can delve deeper into the financial workings of the state. The commitment to transparency and the availability of this detailed data represents a step forward in ensuring responsible governance.

What Public Employees Make The Texas Tribune
What Public Employees Make The Texas Tribune

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Texas Tribune Salarycareer Detail Salary In April 2024
Texas Tribune Salarycareer Detail Salary In April 2024

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Government Employee Salaries (The Texas Tribune) Download Scientific
Government Employee Salaries (The Texas Tribune) Download Scientific

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Detail Author:

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