Contract Intel Workers More Costly Than Feds About one-fourth of U.S. intelligence workers are contractors, according to a report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The figure, from fiscal 2007, counts only those involved in core intelligence missions, such as analysts, IT specialists and mission managers. The contractor total is little changed since last year, the first time the data were publicly reported. The report indicates about 37,000 contractors were working in 16 intelligence agencies, with approximately 100,000 government employees. ODNI said each contract worker costs the government about $207,000 a year, compared with about $125,000 for a civilian federal worker’s salary and benefits. Congress members have expressed concern about the costs, but ODNI officials said using contract workers gives agencies flexibility and provides them with expertise not available inside the government. The report said 27% of the contractors work in collection and operations, 22% support information technology, 19% are involved in analysis and production, 19% provide administrative support, and 4% are in mission management. The numbers do not include people who provide commercial services, such as security guards and cafeteria workers.