The average salary for a legislator in the United States is $68,140, but the range typically falls between $28,810 and $82,200. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $32.76, with a range between $13.85 and $39.52.
There are approximately 32,460 people employed as a legislator in the United States. With Ohio, Wisconsin, California employing the highest number of legislators.The state with the best pay for a legislator is New York, with an average annual salary of $105,360, while South Carolina has the lowest average annual salary of $28,520.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $21,010 | $10.1 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,810 | $13.85 |
| Median | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,510 | $62.26 |
The salary of a legislator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a legislator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for legislators are New York, Nevada, Washington, Rhode Island, Minnesota while the worst states are South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Alabama, Tennessee.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $18,320 | $33,690 | $55,070 |
| Alaska | $31,070 | $88,680 | $218,220 |
| Arkansas | $23,890 | $58,500 | $110,250 |
| California | $34,810 | $86,890 | $136,310 |
| Colorado | $28,390 | $67,060 | $127,970 |
| Delaware | $39,630 | $67,070 | $105,970 |
| Florida | $22,920 | $69,250 | $132,330 |
| Georgia | $18,010 | $55,560 | $102,030 |
| Hawaii | $62,590 | $67,480 | $82,730 |
| Idaho | $18,870 | $59,390 | $117,540 |
| Illinois | $27,040 | $66,780 | $133,220 |
| Indiana | $18,700 | $57,820 | $116,790 |
| Kansas | $19,250 | $40,320 | $60,480 |
| Maryland | $27,560 | $70,560 | $138,010 |
| Michigan | $21,980 | $77,020 | $159,300 |
| Minnesota | $22,890 | $78,930 | $144,540 |
| Missouri | $24,960 | $56,870 | $95,970 |
| Montana | $21,710 | $61,200 | $109,090 |
| Nebraska | $21,840 | $50,330 | $93,630 |
| Nevada | $21,250 | $164,980 | >$239,200 |
| New Hampshire | $16,510 | $67,160 | $162,860 |
| New Jersey | $29,390 | $68,290 | $147,820 |
| New Mexico | $24,960 | $52,200 | $96,390 |
| New York | $32,040 | $105,360 | $208,030 |
| North Dakota | $19,570 | $59,460 | $119,630 |
| Ohio | $21,010 | $62,490 | $125,150 |
| Oklahoma | $19,180 | $47,150 | $62,620 |
| Oregon | $35,050 | $65,990 | $120,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $22,300 | $79,820 | $149,290 |
| Rhode Island | $27,040 | $123,380 | >$239,200 |
| South Carolina | $17,580 | $28,520 | $51,450 |
| Tennessee | $24,230 | $52,220 | $100,620 |
| Texas | $22,770 | $61,850 | $113,870 |
| Utah | $19,240 | $65,880 | $137,140 |
| Virginia | $24,960 | $67,610 | $132,810 |
| Washington | $41,000 | $123,610 | >$239,200 |
| West Virginia | $19,990 | $49,010 | $73,710 |
| Wisconsin | $17,410 | $61,630 | $124,770 |
| Wyoming | $29,690 | $44,880 | $96,510 |
Even between cities, the salary of a legislator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for legislators is Spokane-Spokane Valley area, WA with an average salary of $149,180.The city with the lowest average salary for legislators is Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area, SC with an average salary of $18,840.
Areas with highest average salaries for legislators
Areas with lowest average salaries for legislators
The number of legislators in the United States has been decreasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of legislators has decreased by -18,830. On average, the number of legislators has been increasing by -9.2% each year. The salary of legislators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of legislators has increased by $14,580. On average, the salary of legislators has been increasing by 6.8% each year.
Legislators are part of the management occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for legislators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all management occupations jobs here.
$89,770 per year
$172,290 per year
$98,270 per year
$76,790 per year
$129,330 per year
$169,120 per year
