The Long Beach Business Journal yesterday released their “100,000 Club” issue, which contains details about city staff salaries and trends in wages.  According to the report, 578 city employees earn $100,000 or more per year, making up nearly 10% (9.91%) of all city staff.  Furthermore, another 264 earn between $90,000-$99,999, bringing the total number of Long Beach city employees earning more than $90,000 per year to 842 – or 14.4% of 5,833 total employees.

Here are a few more eye-popping stats from the story:

– Police and Fire employees represent 303 of the 578 earning over $100k
– The 578 employees earning $100k or more represent an increase of 38 in one year
– The number of employees earning between $90k-$99,999 has nearly doubled in the past year, to 264
– In one year, three city positions have seen their salaries increase by more than 30%
– Salaries have increased by 10% or more in 220 positions

City salaries have been under heavy scrutiny and accused by some of unnecessary raises that have contributed heavily to the city’s financial troubles.  The proposed Fiscal year 2009 city budget faces a $16.9 million deficit.

Click here to read the story.

By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor