[US] New database reveals how much central Ohio's public workers get paid

An Ohio newspaper has announced the launch of a database to offer transparency into the tens of thousands of state and local officials’ salaries, which central Ohioans' taxes fund each year, The Columbus Dispatch reports.

From university presidents to police officers, council members and football coaches, The Dispatch’s database of public payrolls promises to help central Ohioans keep a close eye on how their tax dollars are being spent.

The Dispatch reportedly submitted nearly 50 public records requests this year to organisations around central Ohio. 

The publication said that many have provided full payrolls, but others declined to provide details. 

According to The Dispatch, it asked for more than just base pay. Requests included overtime and other pay categories for a fuller picture of public employee earnings.

Once it obtained payroll records, The Dispatch reportedly used AI tools to help standardise and organise salary data and to compile it in a more user-friendly way for its readers.

Salaries available to view in the database include employees from agencies throughout the greater Columbus area, such as Ohio State University, school districts, city government and more. 

The Dispatch stated that it will continue to add agencies to the database in the coming months.

Readers can reportedly scroll through 2025 employee salaries line by line or search the database for a specific public employee, position or department.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

An Ohio newspaper has announced the launch of a database to offer transparency into the tens of thousands of state and local officials’ salaries, which central Ohioans' taxes fund each year, The Columbus Dispatch reports.

From university presidents to police officers, council members and football coaches, The Dispatch’s database of public payrolls promises to help central Ohioans keep a close eye on how their tax dollars are being spent.

The Dispatch reportedly submitted nearly 50 public records requests this year to organisations around central Ohio. 

The publication said that many have provided full payrolls, but others declined to provide details. 

According to The Dispatch, it asked for more than just base pay. Requests included overtime and other pay categories for a fuller picture of public employee earnings.

Once it obtained payroll records, The Dispatch reportedly used AI tools to help standardise and organise salary data and to compile it in a more user-friendly way for its readers.

Salaries available to view in the database include employees from agencies throughout the greater Columbus area, such as Ohio State University, school districts, city government and more. 

The Dispatch stated that it will continue to add agencies to the database in the coming months.

Readers can reportedly scroll through 2025 employee salaries line by line or search the database for a specific public employee, position or department.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch