Updated

The Obama administration projects the number of employees on the government payroll will grow to 2.15 million this year, reportedly making it the largest federal workforce in modern history and fueling criticism over the size of government.

The Washington Times reported Wednesday that the bulk of the increase is on the civilian side, which is expected to grow by 153,000 workers in 2010.

The expansion means the workforce will top 2 million for the first time since President Clinton declared that "the era of big government is over," according to the newspaper.

The expansion comes even as Obama calls for cutting the deficit and imposing a three-year freeze on some non-security spending.

Click here to read more from the Washington Times.