Coaches best-paid state employees in Washington

Published 8:33 pm Wednesday, May 22, 2013

OLYMPIA — Football and basketball coaches are the top-paid state employees in Washington.

University of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian earned $2.7 million last year, followed by Washington State University coach Mike Leach at $2.3 million.

The Office of Financial Management recently released the state employee salary list.

Third on the list is UW basketball coach Lorenzo Romar at $1.35 million, and fourth is WSU coach Ken Bone at $855,000.

The Olympian reported coaches are paid from athletic department revenue, such as ticket sales and television rights, not taxpayer funds.

Someone other than a coach is fifth — Washington State University President Elson Floyd at $625,000, and sixth is UW president Michael Young at $563,000.

A total of 68 state employees earned more than $300,000. Most of them are in higher education.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com