Here’s what your state governor makes in a year

Summary

Governors’ official salaries vary widely by state, from $70,000 in Maine to $253,870 in Pennsylvania.

Why this matters

The figures show how compensation for top state offices differs widely across the country, and how upcoming raises could shift those rankings. The data also helps readers compare official salary with other benefits and, in some cases, governors’ decisions to decline pay.

State governors’ official annual salaries range from $70,000 in Maine to $253,870 in Pennsylvania, with an average of $171,479 across all 50 states in 2026.

That places the average governor above the average U.S. wage of $69,846 in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration, but below the $731,492 annual income threshold for the top 1% of earners. Governors are generally allowed to earn income beyond their state salary, subject to state rules. Some also receive housing, transportation, security, and staff.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills is the lowest-paid governor at $70,000. Maine’s next governor will receive $125,000 in 2027 under legislation passed in 2025, the first raise for the office since 1987.

Other lower-paid governors include Arizona, where the salary will rise to $165,000 in 2027; Oregon at $98,600, plus a $1,000 monthly expense payment; Nebraska at $105,000 in 2025; South Carolina at $106,078 in 2025; New Mexico, where the next governor will receive $169,714 in 2027; and Colorado at $134,632 since 2023.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis receives $141,400 a year. State lawmakers approved an increase to $251,414 starting in 2027, which would make the office the nation’s highest-paid if other states do not raise salaries.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made $153,750 as of 2021. Michigan’s governor also receives a $54,000 annual expense allowance. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s official salary is $174,775 and will rise to $200,000 in July 2026, though he has continued to accept his previous salary of $127,629.

Some governors have declined their salaries. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, whose salary is set at $205,700, and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, whose salary is set at $226,711, have both forgone pay.

Among the highest-paid governors, Washington’s salary is $218,744 as of July 1, 2025, rising to $234,275 in 2026; Vermont’s is $234,379, rising to $243,520 in July 2026; Tennessee’s was $239,760 in 2025; Massachusetts’ was $243,493 in 2025; California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s was $245,929 as of May 2026; New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s is $250,000; and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s rose to $253,870 in 2026 after a 3.3% cost-of-living increase.

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