PHILLIPS: Who gets paid more, government employees or private sector workers? Well, you might be surprised by the answer. Felicia Taylor at the New York Stock Exchange -- Felicia.</s>FELICIA TAYLOR, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you might be surprised. That's right, Kyra. Depending on education level, federal workers may be making more in salary and benefits than their private sector counterparts. The Congressional Budget Office found federal workers with just a high school diploma make about 21 percent more on wages and their benefits are worth 72 percent more than the private sector. College grads do have the advantage in benefits, but their salaries are about the same. It's only the PhDs who do better in the private sector. The CBO estimates that the government paid 16 percent more in salary and benefits in 2011 than it would have for a comparable workforce in the private sector. However, the president of the largest independent union of federal employees disputes the findings. The union says that federal workers make 26 percent less than the private sector. It's also worth noting that federal paychecks have been frozen since 2010. And they're unlikely to get a raise until 2012. Now I realize I've just confused everybody, because on the one hand we're saying that federal workers make more. On the other hand, we've got the opposite side that says they actually don't. So there you are --Kyra.</s>PHILLIPS: OK, now, we're all leaving confused. Is that the deal? Thanks, Felicia.</s>TAYLOR: Great, right? Back for more.</s>PHILLIPS: All right, Newt Gingrich hints that he might throw in the towel in two upcoming contests. What does our Political Buzz panel think about that? They weigh in, next.
Who Makes More? Government Or Private Sector