A look at some workers’ salaries

“How much do you make?” It’s a delicate question usually not asked in polite circles.

But in the government sector, salaries are paid with taxpayer dollars, making them public record. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale commission assistants and county commission aides are making more than their bosses — and way more than teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Here’s a breakdown of who’s making what in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale.

FORT LAUDERDALE COMMISSION Mayor: $98,520 Commissioner: $82,100 Commission assistants

Each elected official decides what to pay their own commission assistants — and how many to hire. In Fort Lauderdale, salaries for commission assistants can range from $51,450 to $109,098.

Two commission assistants for Mayor Dean Trantalis:

$109,098.29 and $84,864

Two commission assistants for Pamela Beasley-Pittman:

$109,098 and $98,308

Two commission assistants for Steve Glassman: $94,765 and $67,850

One commission assistant for John Herbst: $82,410

Two commission assistants for Warren Sturman: $82,410 and $66,955

BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION

County Commissioner: $113,608 (salary set by the state) Each elected official decides what to pay their own commission aides — and how many to hire. Each has a budget of $250,000 to pay aides’ salaries. There is no salary range or job description for commission aides in Broward County.

County Commission aides:

District 1 Vice Mayor Nan Rich: $110,160 and $65,000 District 2 Mark Bogen: $116,400 and $106,000

District 3 Michael Udine: $90,380 and $84,688 District 4 Mayor Lamar Fisher: $93,361; $81,188 and $77,920 ($252,469)

District 5 Steve Geller: $87,250 and $82,041

District 6 Beam Furr: $81,919 and $69,624

District 7 Tim Ryan: $101,840 and $99,760

District 8 Robert McKinzie: $125,000 and $125,000 District 9 Hazelle Rogers: $95,000 and $80,000

COMPARING NUMBERS

Broward County Administrator: $400,992

Fort Lauderdale City Manager: $283,254

Broward Sheriff: $239,316 (salary set by the state) Broward’s Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, Schools Superintendent and Clerk of Court: $203,466 (salary set by the state)

Broward Sheriff’s Office Interim Fire Chief: $226,105 Fort Lauderdale Police Chief: $206,000

Fort Lauderdale Fire Chief: $200,000

County Animal Shelter Director: $164,240

Fort Lauderdale police officer, starting pay (negotiated by union): $71,094

Fort Lauderdale firefighter, starting pay (negotiated by union): $59,430

A teacher in Broward County, starting pay (negotiated by union): $47,500 for a beginning teacher with a bachelor’s degree and no experience.