US state governors’ salaries vary widely, from $70,000 in Maine to $253,870 in Pennsylvania, with voters in 36 states set to elect governors in November’s midterms.
The average official salary across all 50 states is $174,479, below the $731,492 minimum earned by the top 1% of US earners but well above the 2024 average US wage of $69,846.
The Average US Governor Earns $174,479. Here Is Who Earns More and Less
Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro is the highest paid after a 3.3% cost-of-living rise. New York’s Kathy Hochul earns $250,000 and Utah’s Spencer Cox $249,250 after a March raise.
At the bottom, Maine’s Janet Mills earns $70,000, with her successor due $125,000 in 2027, the state’s first raise since 1987. Arizona’s Katie Hobbs earns $95,000, rising to $165,000 in 2027, and Oregon’s Tina Kotek earns $98,600.
Not every governor takes the pay. Illinois’s JB Pritzker and Connecticut’s Ned Lamont have forgone their salaries, while Montana’s Greg Gianforte donates his. Minnesota’s Tim Walz declined past raises but accepted his full $200,000 for his final six months.
Governors can earn outside income under state rules. Florida’s Ron DeSantis has topped $1 million from book royalties, while Pritzker has earned eight figures from investments. Perks include the governor’s mansion, state transportation, security and staff.
