PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- While South Dakota state employees will get a six percent raise on July first, there are still hundreds of open state jobs.

Eric Olilla, Executive Director of the South Dakota State Employees Organization, says even with the raise many state workers trail those in the private sector.

Olilla says some state jobs are very difficult to fill.

Olilla says they will push legislators again next year on better pay and benefits for state workers.

About one hundred twenty million dollars in new state spending was needed for the six percent raise.