Legislator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Legislators Make?
Legislators earn a median annual salary of $44,810 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $20,380 at the 10th percentile to $137,820 at the 90th percentile — a range of $117,440. The highest-paying state is Washington at $109,390.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20,380 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 |
| Median (50th) | $44,810 |
| 75th percentile | $80,350 |
| 90th percentile | $137,820 |
Legislator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $109,390 |
| New York | $97,050 |
| Hawaii | $74,150 |
| Michigan | $73,110 |
| Colorado | $66,700 |
| Wisconsin | $58,850 |
| Delaware | $58,250 |
| Maryland | $54,430 |
| California | $54,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,490 |
| Montana | $50,710 |
| Utah | $50,600 |
| Alaska | $50,400 |
| New Jersey | $48,050 |
| Virginia | $47,730 |
| Oklahoma | $47,490 |
| West Virginia | $46,990 |
| Florida | $46,910 |
| Ohio | $46,890 |
| Arkansas | $44,350 |
| Texas | $42,080 |
| North Dakota | $41,550 |
| Indiana | $39,940 |
| Iowa | $39,290 |
| Wyoming | $36,800 |
| New Mexico | $34,630 |
| Illinois | $33,160 |
| Nebraska | $32,620 |
| Tennessee | $30,300 |
| Idaho | $27,720 |
| Alabama | $26,990 |
| Kansas | $23,210 |
| South Carolina | $19,270 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Legislators
Legislator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$20,380 – $29,120 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$44,810 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$80,350 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $137,820+ |
How to Earn More as a Legislator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Legislators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY earn $141,990 — $97,180 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($80,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Legislator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Legislatorthis career | $44,810 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| General and Operations Manager | $102,950 |
| Treasurers and Controller | $161,700 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
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SOC: 11-1031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.