Oregon state workers are losing an average of $1,341 a year in wages because of having to take unpaid furlough days, but on an annual basis they still average more pay than last year, the state administration reports.

For 2009, on an annual basis, the average base rate salary among state workers, after accounting for the income lost because of the furlough days, is $48,459.

That’s up from the average of $47,724 in 2008, according to the Department of Administrative Services.

After accounting for the furlough days, state workers are also getting slightly higher benefits this year, the department says. On an annual basis, state-paid benefits toward retirement, medical, dental and vision coverage for 2009 are $20,569, compared to $20,407 in 2008.

The calculation was based on the pay and benefits of 34,581 state workers, according to Marjorie Taylor, a senior policy adviser in the Department of Administrative Services.

The averages do not include employees of the Oregon University System, she said, but all other agencies and branches of government were included.

The average reflects high- and low-paid employees and is not anyone’s actual pay.

The median annual salary this year is $46,260, but $44,481 adjusted for furloughs. Half of all employees make more, the other half less.

The increase in pay and benefits was first pointed out this week by the state Senate Republican Office.

Republicans in the legislature have been critical of budget and tax decisions during the 2009 session last spring. 

The legislature passed tax increases on businesses and well-to-do individuals in order to support the budget it passed for 2009-11. Opponents referred the tax hikes to an election scheduled to end Jan. 26.

Senate Republicans pointed to the 10 furlough days negotiated between the state and employee unions.

“Oregon taxpayers are essentially paying more for less service,” a statement by the party’s Senate office quoted minority leader Ted Ferrioli of John Day.

There has been one furlough day so far when mid-valley offices of the DMV, the Employment Department and the Department of Human Resources were closed.

The next furlough day will be Nov. 27, the Friday after Thanksgiving.