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26 Jul 2025 | |
Business Partners |
Local governments across the United States are facing a historic workforce transition. With nearly 38% of the local government workforce expected to retire within the next five years, the sector is confronting what experts have dubbed the “Silver Tsunami.” This wave of retirements, driven by an aging workforce and accelerated by post-pandemic burnout, is creating a perfect storm of staffing shortages, institutional knowledge loss, and increased pressure on remaining employees.
The numbers are stark. The median age of local government employees is 45, and nearly half are over 50. In states like Washington, this translates to tens of thousands of experienced workers nearing retirement. These employees often hold deep institutional knowledge—insights into community history, operational processes, and policy nuances—that are difficult to replace. Without structured succession planning, which only 12% of government organizations currently have in place, this knowledge is at risk of vanishing as employees exit the workforce.
The impact of this demographic shift is already being felt. Public safety, skilled trades, IT, healthcare, and education support roles are among the hardest to fill. Many agencies report a lack of qualified applicants, high turnover rates, and increasing time-to-hire. Over half of government managers say they frequently have to reopen job postings due to insufficient candidate pools. This not only delays service delivery but also increases workloads for remaining staff, contributing to burnout and further attrition.
Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, bring different expectations to the workplace. They prioritize work-life balance, career development, and purpose-driven organizational cultures. To attract and retain this talent, local governments must evolve—offering flexible work models, investing in professional development, and fostering inclusive environments that support employee well-being.
So, how can local governments respond to this workforce crisis?
Strategic Solutions for a Resilient Workforce:
By integrating AI into daily workflows, local governments can reduce administrative burdens, improve decision-making, and enhance the employee experience. More importantly, it allows human workers to focus on what they do best—serving their communities with empathy, insight, and dedication.
Looking Ahead:
The workforce revolution in local government is not a distant threat—it’s happening now. Whether this transition becomes a crisis or a catalyst depends on how leaders respond. With strategic planning, a commitment to employee development, and the smart use of technology like AI, local governments can not only weather the storm but also emerge stronger, more agile, and better equipped to serve the public in the years ahead.
By Michelle Kennedy, Senior Manager, BerryDunn
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