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.