Governor salaries by state range from $70,000 in Maine to $253,870 in Pennsylvania, with most governors earning between $130,000 and $200,000. Pay is set separately by each state, so the figures move on different schedules and by different methods. The list below reflects the most current confirmed salaries, including 2026 adjustments where states have finalized them.
Current Governor Salary in All 50 States
These are base salaries only. They do not include housing, expense accounts, security, transportation, or other benefits attached to the office.
- Pennsylvania: $253,8701Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Statutory Salaries
- New York: $250,0002Ballotpedia. New York State Government Salary
- California: $245,9293CalHR. CCCC Salaries
- Vermont: $234,379
- Connecticut: $226,711
- Massachusetts: $222,1854CTHRU. Statewide Payroll
- Indiana: $220,4185IN.gov. What Is the Governors Annual Salary
- Washington: $218,744
- Illinois: $205,700
- Tennessee: $204,336
- North Carolina: $203,073
- Maryland: $192,000
- West Virginia: $190,424
- Delaware: $185,096
- Hawaii: $184,860
- Kentucky: $184,826
- Utah: $182,900
- Georgia: $182,000
- Alaska: $176,000
- Wisconsin: $175,802
- New Jersey: $175,000
- Virginia: $175,000
- Minnesota: $174,775
- Ohio: $172,665
- Nevada: $170,0626Ballotpedia. Nevada State Government Salary
- Arkansas: $166,771
- New Hampshire: $163,510
- Rhode Island: $163,2957Ballotpedia. Rhode Island State Government Salary
- North Dakota: $163,107
- Mississippi: $160,000
- Michigan: $159,3008Ballotpedia. Michigan State Government Salary
- Texas: $153,750
- Idaho: $151,4009Ballotpedia. Idaho State Government Salary
- Oklahoma: $147,000
- South Dakota: $146,472
- Missouri: $142,658
- Montana: $141,517
- Florida: $141,40010State of Florida. Employee – Florida Salaries
- Wyoming: $140,000
- Colorado: $134,63211Colorado General Assembly. Salaries for Legislators, Statewide Elected Officials, and County
- Alabama: $131,80012Ballotpedia. Alabama State Government Salary
- Iowa: $130,000
- Louisiana: $129,394
- Kansas: $110,707
- New Mexico: $110,000
- South Carolina: $106,078
- Nebraska: $105,000
- Oregon: $98,600
- Arizona: $95,000
- Maine: $70,000
The Top and Bottom of the Range
Pennsylvania’s governor now earns more than three and a half times what Maine’s governor takes home, a spread of $183,870 between first and last. Maine has held its salary at $70,000 for years, well below the next-lowest states, Arizona at $95,000 and Oregon at $98,600.
At the top, three states pay more than $240,000: Pennsylvania, New York, and California. Pennsylvania’s recent increases pushed it past New York for the top spot, a shift from a few years ago when New York led the rankings.1Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Statutory Salaries Higher salaries tend to appear in larger states or states with higher costs of living, but the correlation is loose. Florida is the third most populous state and pays its governor $141,400. Vermont has a small population and pays $234,379.
Scheduled Increases Coming Soon
Several states have already approved raises that will change the rankings.
- Minnesota’s salary rises to $200,000 in July 2026.
- New Jersey has a scheduled raise to $210,000 in 2026.
- Arizona voters approved an increase to $165,000 that takes effect in 2027, nearly doubling the current figure.
How States Set the Governor’s Salary
Each state uses one of three basic methods: an independent compensation commission, the legislature acting by statute or appropriation, or a formula tied to inflation or other salaries. The method shapes how often pay adjusts and how politically visible each change becomes.
California’s Citizens Compensation Commission, created by the state constitution, sets annual salaries for the governor and other state officers.13Justia. California Constitution Article III Section 8 Washington uses a similar citizens’ commission on a regular review cycle. Where the legislature sets pay directly, salaries can go many years without adjustment because voting to raise pay for elected officials is politically difficult. Formula-based systems avoid that by adjusting automatically.
Most states also prevent a salary change from taking effect during the sitting governor’s current term, so a governor cannot engineer a raise for themselves. Some states write that restriction into their constitution.14Connecticut General Assembly. History of the Constitutional Limitation on Salary Increases for Elected Municipal Officials
What Comes With the Job Beyond Salary
Base pay understates the total value of the office. Most states provide an official residence, which covers housing, utilities, and household staffing. Five states have no official residence: Arizona, Idaho, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Some of those states pay a housing allowance instead. Massachusetts pays $65,000 a year. Idaho pays roughly $54,000.
Governors also receive a state vehicle, and many have access to state aircraft for official travel. A security detail is provided at all times, at state expense. Expense accounts cover the routine costs of official business, including travel within the state, hosting visitors, and attending conferences.
Governors Who Have Declined Their Pay
Several governors have refused their salary, usually because they entered office with substantial personal wealth. The decision does not change the statutory salary for the office.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker both declined their salaries entirely, together forgoing more than $430,000 per year. Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam returned his full salary for multiple years. Former Florida Governor Rick Scott and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum also declined their pay. Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder accepted $1 and returned the rest.15Ballotpedia. Comparison of Gubernatorial Salaries Declined funds typically revert to the state’s general fund, and the salary on the books stays the same for whoever holds the office next.