Government Salaries Explorer: Transparency in Public Payroll
Public service is the backbone of our communities, and understanding how government employees are compensated is an important part of maintaining accountability and trust. Government Salaries Explorer was created to make this information easy to access, search, and understand. By compiling public payroll records from multiple levels of government—federal, state, and local—this platform allows taxpayers, journalists, policymakers, researchers, and everyday citizens to see how public dollars are being spent.
Our mission is simple: provide open access to government pay data in one central location. Visitors can explore names (where disclosure is permitted), job titles, agencies or departments, total compensation, and in some cases additional benefits or years of service. With this resource, you can track trends across regions, compare compensation between agencies, and support deeper conversations about fairness, efficiency, and transparency in government.
Federal Salaries
The Federal section covers employees across all major U.S. agencies and departments. From administrative staff to senior leadership roles, these records shed light on how federal tax dollars are allocated. You can search by agency, title, or pay grade to see patterns across the federal workforce.
California Salaries
The California dataset is one of the largest, covering hundreds of thousands of state employees. This includes state agencies, higher education staff, public health workers, and public safety roles. With California’s economy ranking among the largest in the world, examining compensation here provides insight into how such a massive public workforce is managed.
Florida Salaries
In the Florida section, visitors can explore payroll records across state agencies, local government offices, and education systems. From law enforcement to public school teachers, the data highlights how the state compensates a diverse set of employees across regions and sectors.
Iowa Salaries
The Iowa dataset includes a wide range of public servants, including state workers, educators, and staff within local municipalities. This section helps residents and researchers better understand compensation trends in the Midwest.
Los Angeles County Salaries
Los Angeles County is the largest county in the U.S. by population, and its payroll data reflects the size and complexity of its workforce. Here you’ll find compensation details for employees in the Sheriff’s Department, public health, social services, and county administration.
City of Los Angeles Salaries
Separate from the county, the City of Los Angeles dataset highlights salaries for police officers, firefighters, city administrators, and other staff who keep one of America’s largest cities running day to day.
Minnesota Salaries
The Minnesota section provides access to compensation records for state employees, university staff, and other public sector workers. Visitors can explore how salaries in the Midwest compare with other states and regions.
New Jersey Salaries
New Jersey payroll records include a wide range of state and local government employees, from municipal staff and law enforcement to educators. With a dense population and a mix of urban and suburban communities, New Jersey’s salary data provides unique insights into public pay structures.
New York City Salaries
The New York City dataset is one of the most robust, covering hundreds of thousands of employees across the five boroughs. From teachers and police officers to city planners and healthcare workers, this section provides an in-depth look at how the nation’s largest city compensates its workforce.
Texas Salaries
The Texas dataset includes salaries for state workers, university faculty, law enforcement, and a variety of government agencies. Given Texas’s size and growth, these records are valuable for analyzing how a large and diverse state manages its workforce.
Washington Salaries
The Washington section covers employees across state agencies, education systems, and public safety departments. Visitors can see how compensation compares in a state known for both government innovation and a strong technology sector.
Why Public Salary Data Matters
Salary transparency in government serves several purposes:
Accountability: Citizens can see exactly how tax dollars are being used.
Equity: Comparing roles across agencies and regions highlights where disparities may exist.
Research & Reporting: Journalists, academics, and policymakers rely on accurate salary data to inform the public.
Public Trust: Open access to this information builds confidence in government institutions.
By making this data more accessible, Government Salaries Explorer supports informed conversations about public spending, workforce planning, and the value of public service.
