Legislators Salary in U.S. (2024)
Legislators in U.S. make a median of $44,810 a year. The range runs from $20K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $45K get you in U.S.?
About legislators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level legislators (10th percentile) start around $20K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $138K or more - a $117K spread from bottom to top.
Legislators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109K | +144% | 1,300 |
| New York | $97K | +117% | 1,440 |
| Hawaii | $74K | +65% | 120 |
| Michigan | $73K | +63% | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $59K | +31% | 960 |
| Delaware | $58K | +30% | 90 |
| Maryland | $54K | +21% | 500 |
| California | $54K | +21% | 2,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $51K | +15% | 770 |
| Montana | $51K | +13% | 440 |
| Utah | $51K | +13% | 300 |
| Alaska | $50K | +12% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $48K | +7% | 420 |
| Virginia | $48K | +7% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $47K | +6% | 370 |
Track legislators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do legislators make in U.S.?
The median is $44,810 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $20,380, and experienced legislators can clear $137,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,170/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 44.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a legislators salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median legislators salary is worth about $44,810 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do legislators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.