Glossary

FTE

A plain-English definition of FTE and why staffing counts are not always the same as headcounts.

Last updated: 2026-05-19

Independent and unofficial. Source-linked term.

FTE means full-time equivalent.

It is a staffing measure that converts work hours into a full-time basis. For example, part-time work can be counted as a fraction of one full-time equivalent.

Why It Matters

FTE helps residents compare staffing across departments and years without confusing part-time positions, full-time positions, and temporary staffing.

Common Misunderstanding

FTE is not always the same as the number of people employed. A department can have more people than FTEs if some staff work part time.

Corrections

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