T. Christian Miller with The Los Angeles Times had been hard at work for months crunching the numbers: He reported yesterday that “The number of U.S.-paid private contractors in Iraq now exceeds that of American combat troops,” according to US State Department figures that he, no doubt, had to tenaciously pull from unwilling sources.

More than 180,000 civilians — including Americans, foreigners and Iraqis –are working in Iraq under U.S. contracts, according to State and Defense department figures obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

Presently there are 160,000 US troops in Iraq:

The numbers include at least 21,000 Americans, 43,000 foreign contractors and about 118,000 Iraqis — all employed in Iraq by U.S. tax dollars, according to the most recent government data.

Here’s Miller’s story.
Breaking down the numbers after jump:

Contractors in Iraq
There are more U.S.-paid private contractors than there are American combat troops in Iraq.
Contractors: 180,000
U.S. troops: 160,000
Nationality of contractors
118,000 Iraqis
43,000 non-U.S. foreigners
21,000 Americans
Top contractors
Company: Kulak Construction Co.
Description: Based in Turkey, supplies construction workers to U.S. bases
Total employees: 30,301
Company: KBR
Description: Based in Houston, supplies logistics support to U.S. troops
Total employees: 15,336
Company: Prime Projects International
Description: Based in Dubai, supplies labor for logistics support
Total employees: 10,560
Company: L-3 Communications
Description: Based in New York, provides translators and other services
Total employees: 5,886
Company: Gulf Catering Co.
Description: Based in Saudi Arabia, provides kitchen services to U.S. troops
Total employees: 4,002
Company: 77 Construction
Description: Based in Irbil, Iraq, provides logistics support to troops
Total employees: 3,219
Company: ECC
Description: Based in Burlingame, Calif, works on reconstruction projects
Total employees: 2,390
Company: Serka Group
Description: Based in Turkey, supplies logistics support to U.S. bases
Total employees: 2,250
Company: IPBD Ltd.
Description: Based in England, supplies labor, laundry services and other support
Total employees: 2,164
Company: Daoud & Partners Co.
Description: Based in Amman, Jordan, supplies labor for logistics support
Total employees: 2,092
Company: EOD Technology Inc
Description: Based in Lenoir City, Tenn., supplies security, explosives demolition and other services
Total employees: 1,913
Note: Data are as of February, which is most current available.
Sources: U.S. Central Command, Times reporting