State Government employment increased by 1,431 jobs to average 64,868. The average wage increased by 5.0 percent to $38,257.

On a percentage basis, the fastest growing sector of State Government is Justice, Public Order, and Safety. This sector expanded 6.7 percent to 11,053 jobs. Correctional Institutions employment added 551 jobs to average 6,218. Courts’ employment increased by 71 jobs to average 2,709. Police employment increased from 1,164 to 1,203.

The largest sector of State Government is Educational Services, which also added the largest number of jobs. Educational Services added 769 jobs to average 33,201. Colleges and Universities’ employment increased by 449 jobs to 25,603. Junior Colleges employment increased at a faster percentage rate. Their growth rate was 4.7 percent with an average of 7,366 jobs in 2000. The average Colleges and Universities wage increased from $38,492 to $40,844 while the average Junior Colleges’ wage increased from $18,957 to $19,508.

State employment in Health Services declined for the first time since 1997 with a drop of 0.9 percent to 5,911. General Medical & Surgical Hospitals' employment remained steady with a decline of only ten jobs to 4,047. Psychiatric Hospitals’ employment declined by 3.0 percent to 1,447. Skilled Nursing Care Facilities employment also remained stable at 416 jobs compared to 417 in 1999. Psychiatric Hospitals recorded the largest job loss in State Government with a 45-job loss to average 1,447.

Highway and Street Construction reversed a four-year decline with a gain of 29 jobs to average 3,098. The average wage increased by 4.9 percent to $42,953.

Employment in Administration of Human Resource Programs only grew slightly with an additional 31 jobs to average 4,874. Administration of Educational Programs increased by 27 jobs to 1,280. Administration of Social & Manpower Programs added 7 jobs to average 2,492.

Land, Mineral, and Wildlife Conservation employment expanded by 35 jobs to average 1,842.