Here’s how much the governor makes in every state
In some states, being the governor doesn’t automatically make you a top earner.There’s a wide range in what state governors earn each year, from $70,000 in Maine to $250,000 in New York.Across all 50 states, governors earn an average official annual salary of $167,128 and are subject to federal and state income taxes, except in states without them, such as Florida or Texas.By comparison, the top 1% of US earners each make at least $731,492 a year, placing the average governor below the ultrarich but also well above the average US wage of $69,846 in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration.While governors across all 50 states are generally allowed to earn money beyond their state salary through investments, book deals, and other sources, the income they’re permitted to take in is closely regulated, and rules vary by state.Some, like Florida’s Ron DeSantis, have brought in yearly incomes of over $1 million thanks to book royalties, while others, like Illinois’ JB Pritzker, earn eight figures due to investment gains and even gambling wins.As such, some governors, like Pritzker and Connecticut’s Ned Lamont, who are independently wealthy, have chosen to forgo their six-figure salaries from the state.Beyond the salary, other financial perks of being a governor may include living in the governor’s mansion, receiving private transportation from the state, and having access to security and staff.See how much your governor makes every year, as determined by state legislatures.
Alabama
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey receives the 10th-lowest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Kay Ivey (Republican)Salary: $131,800
Alaska
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has an annual salary of $176,000.
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Governor: Mike Dunleavy (Republican)Salary: $176,000
Arizona
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has the second-lowest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Katie Hobbs (Democrat)Salary: $95,000The Arizona governor, which has the second-lowest salary out of all US governors, will be eligible for a salary of $165,000 starting in 2027, per the state legislature.
Arkansas
In 2025, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders makes a salary of $166,771.
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Governor: Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican)Salary: $166,771
California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is the third-highest-paid governor in the US.
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Governor: Gavin Newsom (Democrat)Salary: $242,295As of December 2024, the California Department of Human Resources listed the governor’s salary as $242,295, making Gavin Newsom the third-highest paid governor in the US.
Colorado
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis makes a salary of $134,632, per state law.
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Governor: Jared Polis (Democrat)Salary: $134,632The Colorado governor, previously one of the lowest-paid governors in the nation, has received a $134,632 salary since 2023, as outlined by state law. It is now the 11th-lowest governor’s salary across all states.
Connecticut
If he hadn’t forgone his salary, Connecticut’s governor, Ned Lamont, would be the fifth-highest paid US governor.
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Governor: Ned Lamont (Democrat)Salary: $226,711 (forgone)Although the State of Connecticut sets the governor’s salary as $226,711, the independently wealthy Ned Lamont has chosen to forgo the salary during his gubernatorial run. Lamont made his money in telecommunications and investments, and is the great-grandson of Thomas W. Lamont, a former chair of J. P. Morgan & Co. who built substantial wealth in banking.The state has the fifth-highest salary for a governor in the US.
Delaware
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer has a salary of $185,096.
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Governor: Matt Meyer (Democrat)Salary: $185,096From July 2025 until 2029, the salary for the governor of Delaware is $185,096, per the state legislature.
Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes a salary of $141,400.
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Governor: Ron DeSantis (Republican)Salary: $141,400The Florida governor makes $141,400 each year, although the Florida state legislature has approved a raise to $251,414 for the office starting in 2027, which would make the Florida governor the highest paid in the nation, if other high-paying states do not also increase their salaries.
Georgia
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp makes a salary of $182,000 each year.
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Governor: Brian Kemp (Republican)Salary: $182,000While Georgia Governor Brian Kemp currently earns $182,000 a year, a recent proposal could tie him with New York Governor Kathy Hochul as the highest-paid in the nation, as reported by the Associated Press.
Hawaii
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green makes $184,860 a year.
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Governor: Josh Green (Democrat)Salary: $184,860
Idaho
Idaho Gov. Brad Little makes $151,400 a year.
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Governor: Brad Little (Republican)Salary: $151,400
Illinois
If he hadn’t chosen to forgo his salary, JB Pritzker would be the ninth-highest-paid US governor.
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Governor: Jay Robert “JB” Pritzker (Democrat)Salary: $205,700 (foregone)Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, has chosen to forgo his salary. The state has set the governor’s salary at $205,700 as of 2023, per the Illinois General Assembly, making the position the ninth-highest paid governor in the US.
Indiana
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is the sixth-highest-paid governor in the nation.
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Governor: Mike Braun (Republican)Salary: $220,418Indiana governor Mike Braun, who makes $220,418 each year per the Indiana state government, is the sixth-highest-paid governor in the US.
Iowa
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is the ninth-lowest-paid governor in the US.
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Governor: Kim Reynolds (Republican)Salary: $130,000
Kansas
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has the seventh-lowest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Laura Kelly (Democrat)Salary: $110,707
Kentucky
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear makes $184,826 a year.
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Governor: Andy Beshear (Democrat)Salary: $184,826
Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has the eighth-lowest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Jeff Landry (Republican)Salary: $129,394
Maine
Maine Gov. Janet Mills has the lowest salary out of all 50 US states at $70,000 each year.
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Governor: Janet Mills (Democrat)Salary: $70,000With a salary of $70,000, Maine governor Janet Mills is the lowest-paid governor in the US.
Maryland
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has a salary of $192,000, making him the 10th-highest-paid governor in the US.
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Governor: Wes Moore (Democrat)Salary: $192,000As of his third year as Maryland governor, per the state legislature, Wes Moore has a salary of $192,000, making him the 10th-highest paid US governor.
Massachusetts
Maura Healey received the fifth-highest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Maura Healey (Democrat)Salary: $222,185Massachusetts governor Maura Healey received a salary of $222,185 in 2024, per the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, making hers the fifth-highest governor’s salary in the US.
Michigan
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer makes $159,300 each year.
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Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat)Salary: $159,300
Minnesota
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has refused his full official salary.
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Governor: Tim Walz (Democrat)Salary: $174,775 (although Walz accepts $127,629)The Minnesota governor’s official salary is $174,775 as of July 1, 2025, and will increase to $200,000 in July 2026, per the Minnesota Legislature. However, Walz has repeatedly declined the raises and accepts the previous salary of $127,629.”This is about the state workforce,” he said, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune in March. “I don’t want this to be an issue about the governor trying to pay himself. I think I’m compensated fairly by the state of Minnesota for the work I do at this point.”
Mississippi
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves makes $160,000 each year.
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Governor: Tate Reeves (Republican)Salary: $160,000
Missouri
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe makes $142,658 a year.
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Governor: Mike Kehoe (Republican)Salary: $142,658
Montana
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has a salary of $141,517 in 2025.
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Governor: Greg Gianforte (Republican)Salary: $141,517
Nebraska
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has the fourth-lowest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Jim Pillen (Republican)Salary: $105,000Nebraska governor Jim Pillen, who earns $105,000 a year in 2025, per state legislature, is the fourth-lowest paid governor in the US.
Nevada
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo makes $170,062 a year in 2025.
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Governor: Joe Lombardo (Republican)Salary: $170,062
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has a salary of $163,510 in 2025.
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Governor: Kelly Ayotte (Republican)Salary: $163,510
New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy makes $175,000 a year.
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Governor: Phil Murphy (Democrat)Salary: $175,000Although the current New Jersey governor, Phil Murphy, earns $175,000 a year in 2025, the office he will vacate in 2026 is slated to receive a raise to $210,000, the Associated Press reported.
New Mexico
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has a salary of $110,000 in 2025.
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Governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat)Salary: $110,000New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is the sixth-lowest-paid governor in the US.
New York
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is the highest-paid governor in the US, earning $250,000 annually.
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Governor: Kathy Hochul (Democrat)Salary: $250,000With a salary of $250,000 established by New York law, Kathy Hochul is the highest-paid governor in the US.
North Carolina
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has a salary of $203,073 in 2025.
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Governor: Josh Stein (Democrat)Salary: $203,073North Carolina governor Josh Stein has a salary of $203,073 in 2025, making him one of the top-10 highest-paid governors in the US.
North Dakota
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong has a salary of $163,107 in 2025.
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Governor: Kelly Armstrong (Republican)Salary: $163,107
Ohio
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine earns $172,665 each year.
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Governor: Mike DeWine (Republican)Salary: $172,665As of 2024, the Ohio governor, Mike DeWine, has a salary of $172,665.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has a salary of $147,000 in 2025.
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Governor: Kevin Stitt (Republican)Salary: $147,000While the current Oklahoma governor, Kevin Stitt, has a salary of $147,000 in 2025, his successor will see a raise to $185,000, per Oklahoma’s Journal Record.
Oregon
With a salary of $98,600, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has the third-lowest salary out of all US governors.
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Governor: Tina Kotek (Democrat)Salary: $98,600The Oregon governor takes home the third-lowest pay out of all governors.
Pennsylvania
Josh Shapiro is the second-highest paid governor in the US, making $245,760 a year.
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Governor: Josh Shapiro (Democrat)Salary: $245,760Shapiro received two raises since 2023, as shown in the state’s budget office data. In 2025, he makes a $245,760 salary, making him the second-highest-paid governor in the US.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee makes $163,295 a year in 2025.
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Governor: Daniel McKee (Democrat)Salary: $163,295
South Carolina
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has a salary of $106,078, making him the fifth-lowest-paid governor.
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Governor: Henry McMaster (Republican)Salary: $106,078With a salary of $106,078 in 2025, per state records, the South Carolina governor is the fifth-lowest-paid governor in the US.
South Dakota
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden makes $146,472 a year in 2025.
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Governor: Larry Rhoden (Republican)Salary: $146,472
Tennessee
Bill Lee received the eighth-highest salary out of US governors.
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Governor: Bill Lee (Republican)Salary: $204,336The Book of the States lists the Tennessee governor’s salary at $204,336 as of 2023, which would be one of the top-10 highest governor salaries in the US, although reports by the Nashville Fox channel WZTV and watchdog organization OpenTheBooks have put the figure at $224,000 for current governor Bill Lee.
Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has a salary of $153,750.
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Governor: Greg Abbott (Republican)Salary: $153,750As of 2021, Texas governor Greg Abbott makes $153,750 a year, per state records.
Utah
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox makes $182,900 a year.
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Governor: Spencer Cox (Republican)Salary: $182,900
Vermont
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s 2025 salary is $234,379.
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Governor: Phil Scott (Republican)Salary: $234,379Vermont governor Phil Scott’s 2024 salary was $222,371, with the number rising to $234,379 in 2025, per the Vermont General Assembly.
Virginia
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin chooses to donate his $175,000 salary.
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Governor: Glenn Youngkin (Republican)Salary: $175,000Although the Virginia governor has a salary of $175,000, the independently wealthy Glenn Youngkin has chosen to donate his earnings each quarter, per his office.Youngkin built his fortune during his 25 years working in private equity before running for state office. Between 2018 and his gubernatorial campaign in 2020, he served as the co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, an investment firm.
Washington
With a salary of $218,744, Washington governor Bob Ferguson is the seventh-highest paid in the nation.
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Governor: Bob Ferguson (Democrat)Salary: $218,744
West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has a salary of $190,424 in 2025.
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Governor: Patrick Morrisey (Republican)Salary: $190,424Starting in 2025, the West Virginia governor’s salary has been set to match the US Office of Personnel Management’s locality pay area for the rest of US, per state legislature. That puts current governor Patrick Morrisey’s salary at $190,424.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has a salary of $175,802.
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Governor: Tony Evers (Democrat)Salary: $175,802
Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon makes $140,000 each year.
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Governor: Mark Gordon (Republican)Salary: $140,000
Δημοσιεύτηκε: 2025-11-21 18:52:00
πηγή: www.businessinsider.com
