The wage gap between black and white state employees widened again in 2006, according to an annual report by the state Human Affairs Commission.

The gap between men and women in the same type of jobs also widened, reversing the trend of a year earlier.

White employees were paid an average of $6,743 more than black workers in the executive-level job group, the commission found. The pay disparity in 2005 was $5,162.

White workers account for 936 positions among the top three pay bands in state government, where salaries range from $52,428 to $143,597. That compares with 130 black workers in those positions.

The single largest group of black males holding state government jobs — 1,816 — is concentrated in a pay band from $23,900 to $44,250.

The single largest group of black female employees — 4,120 — is in a group with pay from $19,659 to $36,375.

The single largest group of white residents, 4,495 females, also are concentrated in a $23,900 to $44,250 salary range.

“Each time the Human Affairs Commission issues a report, it has looked the same or worse for the past 12 years,” said Rep. Leon Howard, D-Richland, Legislative Black Caucus chairman.

Projected retirements offer S.C. government a chance to close some gaps through hirings and promotions.

But “without leadership from the governor’s office, the House and the Senate positively cultivating an environment of diversity, the business community (and state government) will continue to grossly disrespect African-Americans,” said Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston.

Ford and Howard said they again will meet with the principals covered under the annual report to hear explanations for the state’s hiring and promotions practices.

Jesse Washington Jr., Human Affairs commissioner, noted there have been improvements, but not enough.

He said the most disappointing performance of the 82 agencies and universities tracked in this year’s report was Lander University, a liberal arts college in Greenwood. It had 78 hiring opportunities but hired only one minority, a service maintenance worker.

Efforts to reach Lander officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Ford, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus’ affirmative action and civil rights committee, said he has asked Gov. Mark Sanford to discuss with the committee pay and promotions of black employees in state government, the dearth of black judges, and systematic exclusion of blacks in state economic development ventures.

Reach Burris at (803) 771-8398.

KEY FINDINGS

Achieved 100 percent of affirmative-action employment goals:

Arts Commission

Commission on Higher Education

Achieved less than 70 percent (passing grade) of goals:

The Citadel

Denmark Technical College

Forestry Commission

Lander University

Lieutenant governor’s office

Patriots Point

USC regional offices

Makeup of 301 new hires or promotions within top job categories in 2006:

White males: 45 percent

White females: 31 percent

Black males: 10 percent

Black females: 12 percent

Other races: 3 percent

SOURCE: State Human Affairs Commission