State Government employment increased by a modest 2.3 percent from 1997 to 61,344 employees after increasing only 0.3 percent the previous year. The average annual wage increased by $1,137 to $35,339, a 3.3 percent increase. Forty-five percent of State employment was in the Denver MSA with an average wage that exceeded the BOS by $4,756 at $37,946.

Justice Public Order and Safety recorded the largest gain in employment on a percentage and actual basis adding 683 jobs or 7.7 percent. The majority of this increase was within Correctional Institutions, which added 472 jobs to average 5,057. Employment classified in State Correctional Institutions increased by 46 percent from 1992 though 1998. Educational Services employment increased by 672 jobs or 2.2 percent in 1998, to average 31,374. Junior Colleges added 209 jobs to average 6,516 employees while Colleges and Universities added 459 jobs to average 24,441. State operated Elementary and Secondary School employment increased by 4 to average 208 in 1998.

The third largest sector within State Government is Health Services with 5,747 employees in 1998, an increase of 53. Forty-four of the additional jobs were classified in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals. Skilled Nursing Care Facilities increased by 20 jobs to 416 while, Psychiatric Hospitals declined by 10 to 1,486 jobs.

There were 3,109 jobs classified in Heavy Construction in 1997, a decrease of 10 jobs from the previous year. All of this employment was with the Colorado Department of Transportation with 47 percent classified in the Denver MSA.

Employment within Social Services decreased for the fifth straight year with a decline of 32 jobs to 1,045. The largest decrease in State Government Employment occurred within Regulation of Agricultural Marketing, which declined by 62 jobs to 410. The largest percentage increase within State government occurred within National Security at 17.7 percent to 125 jobs.