The Nevada Employment Security Department survey for May 2006 found "Government" is the highest paying profession in Clark County (15% higher than the next closest profession) and in Washoe County (6% higher than the next closest profession).

Here is the full report from Nevada JobConnect.

The table below was culled from data online at the US Census Bureau. Employees of Nevada's state government and employees of local governments are ranked alongside their peers to give you a feel for how their pay compares. Click a ranking to see the underlying detailed data.

• Nevada's retirement system. Believe it or not, benefits for retirees run three to ten times the amount of social security monthly benefits. Employees do not have social security deducted from their checks like the rest of us. In most local governments, taxpayers pay 100% of the contributions (appx 30% of wages for police/fire and 20% for all others). State taxpayers pay for half of the contributions and state employees pay the other half out of their paychecks.
• longevity pay (an automatic annual bonus, not merit-based, based on the number of years of employment);
• additional holidays and vacation government employees enjoy;
• tenure and lack of accountability;
• or the value of free college tuition for family members of Nevada university employees.

Comparison states may or may not offer such non-reported compensation. The private sector certainly does not.

Here is an interesting website focusing on the unionization of Nevada's government.