The state and local workforce has changed significantly over the past decade — change that has been reflected in the size of the public labor force, the compensation packages provided to employees, and the ability of governments to manage their talent pipelines. Against this backdrop, a rebounding U.S. economy, decreasing overall unemployment levels, and changing public sector demographics will challenge governments’ recruitment and retention in 2015 and beyond.

For each of the past six years, the Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) has surveyed members of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) and National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE) on workforce issues, compensation changes, and recruitment and retirement trends related to their members’ governments. Read SLGE Vice President for Research Joshua Franzel's Government Finance Review article "State and Local Workforce: Analysis and Forecast" for an overview of the size of the state and local workforce, wage and benefit considerations, and workforce management issues.