How much does a legislator make?
The median legislator in the United States earns $44,810 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all legislators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 11-1031.
Legislator salary range
Pay for legislators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $20,380 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $137,820. The average (mean) wage of $67,390 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20,380 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,810 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,350 | |
| 90th percentile | $137,820 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for legislators (SOC 11-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Legislator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Legislators earn the most in Washington at $109,390 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $19,270. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 | 1,300 |
| New York | $97,050 | 1,440 |
| Hawaii | $74,150 | 120 |
| Michigan | $73,110 | 410 |
| Colorado | $66,700 | 530 |
| Wisconsin | $58,850 | 960 |
| Delaware | $58,250 | 90 |
| Maryland | $54,430 | 500 |
| California | $54,290 | 2,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,490 | 770 |
| Montana | $50,710 | 440 |
| Utah | $50,600 | 300 |
| Alaska | $50,400 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $48,050 | 420 |
| Virginia | $47,730 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $47,490 | 370 |
| West Virginia | $46,990 | 750 |
| Florida | $46,910 | 810 |
| Ohio | $46,890 | 1,360 |
| Arkansas | $44,350 | 460 |
| Texas | $42,080 | 2,040 |
| North Dakota | $41,550 | 350 |
| Indiana | $39,940 | 950 |
| Iowa | $39,290 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $36,800 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $34,630 | 60 |
| Illinois | $33,160 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $32,620 | 360 |
| Tennessee | $30,300 | 390 |
| Idaho | $27,720 | 530 |
| Alabama | $26,990 | 1,120 |
| Kansas | $23,210 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $19,270 | 660 |
State median wages for legislators (SOC 11-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
What affects how much a legislator earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $109,390) and the lowest (South Carolina, $19,270) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 26,510 people work as legislators in the United States. At $44,810 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Legislator salary FAQ
How much does a legislator make an hour?
Legislators are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $44,810.
What is the highest legislator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of legislators earn more than $137,820 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a legislator make a year?
The median annual salary for a legislator is $44,810. The average (mean) wage of $67,390 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a legislator a well paid job?
At $44,810 a year, a legislator earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 26,510 people work as legislators in the United States.
Which state pays legislators the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for legislators at $109,390 a year. New York ($97,050) and Hawaii ($74,150) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
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