State government is the largest employer in Florida-and that is counting only state employees whose positions are established within state personnel systems or whose jobs are funded by other personal services (OPS) dollars appropriated by the Legislature. 1 Often overlooked are the thousands of "outside" workers, such as employees of state service contractors, grantees, community colleges, and public school districts, whose positions are funded in whole or in part with state dollars.
Based on readily available fiscal and labor market data, we estimate that the combined total of state employees and outside workers supported by state funding increased from 500,389 in Fiscal Year 1996-97 to 540,724 in Fiscal Year 2000-01 (8.1% increase). This increase was primarily due to growth in outside jobs, which increased from 298,038 to 332,552 jobs (11.6% increase). The increase in outside jobs was likely due to several factors, including increases in school district employees and the trend to outsource more state functions.

State Agencies Have Increased Their Use of Other Personal Services Employees
Report 07-28 April 2007
Measuring the Size and Cost of Florida State and Local Government
Report 03-19 March 2003
Government "Outside" Workforce Exceeds Number of State Personnel System Employees
Report 01-16 March 2001
Assessing Privatization in State Agency Programs
Report 98-64 February 1999

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.