Governor Salary by State 2025
New York
$250,000
Pennsylvania
$229,642
Connecticut
$226,711
California
$224,020
Massachusetts
$222,185
Illinois
$205,700
Tennessee
$204,336
Vermont
$201,136
Washington
$198,257
Hawaii
$184,860
Maryland
$184,000
Utah
$182,900
Georgia
$180,000
New Jersey
$175,000
Virginia
$175,000
Ohio
$171,059
Delaware
$171,000
Nevada
$170,062
North Carolina
$165,750
Wisconsin
$165,568
Kentucky
$164,355
Rhode Island
$163,295
Michigan
$159,300
Arkansas
$158,739
Texas
$153,750
Idaho
$151,400
West Virginia
$150,000
Oklahoma
$147,000
New Hampshire
$146,172
Alaska
$145,000
North Dakota
$143,646
Florida
$141,400
Missouri
$140,596
Wyoming
$140,000
South Dakota
$139,100
Indiana
$134,051
Alabama
$131,800
Iowa
$130,000
Minnesota
$127,629
Louisiana
$125,185
Mississippi
$122,160
Montana
$118,397
Kansas
$110,707
New Mexico
$110,000
South Carolina
$106,078
Nebraska
$105,000
Oregon
$98,600
Arizona
$95,000
Colorado
$90,000
Maine
$70,000
State | Governor's Salary 2023↓ | |
|---|---|---|
 | New York | $250,000 |
 | Pennsylvania | $229,642 |
 | Connecticut | $226,711 |
 | California | $224,020 |
 | Massachusetts | $222,185 |
 | Illinois | $205,700 |
 | Tennessee | $204,336 |
 | Vermont | $201,136 |
 | Washington | $198,257 |
 | Hawaii | $184,860 |
 | Maryland | $184,000 |
 | Utah | $182,900 |
 | Georgia | $180,000 |
 | New Jersey | $175,000 |
 | Virginia | $175,000 |
 | Ohio | $171,059 |
 | Delaware | $171,000 |
 | Nevada | $170,062 |
 | North Carolina | $165,750 |
 | Wisconsin | $165,568 |
 | Kentucky | $164,355 |
 | Rhode Island | $163,295 |
 | Michigan | $159,300 |
 | Arkansas | $158,739 |
 | Texas | $153,750 |
 | Idaho | $151,400 |
 | West Virginia | $150,000 |
 | Oklahoma | $147,000 |
 | New Hampshire | $146,172 |
 | Alaska | $145,000 |
 | North Dakota | $143,646 |
 | Florida | $141,400 |
 | Missouri | $140,596 |
 | Wyoming | $140,000 |
 | South Dakota | $139,100 |
 | Indiana | $134,051 |
 | Alabama | $131,800 |
 | Iowa | $130,000 |
 | Minnesota | $127,629 |
 | Louisiana | $125,185 |
 | Mississippi | $122,160 |
 | Montana | $118,397 |
 | Kansas | $110,707 |
 | New Mexico | $110,000 |
 | South Carolina | $106,078 |
 | Nebraska | $105,000 |
 | Oregon | $98,600 |
 | Arizona | $95,000 |
 | Colorado | $90,000 |
 | Maine | $70,000 |
Governor salaries in the United States exhibit significant variation, reflecting diverse economic landscapes and regional disparities. In 2024, New York leads the pack with a salary of $250,000, a testament to its economic prominence and high cost of living in the East. California closely follows with a salary of $218,556, reflecting its status as a major economic powerhouse in the West. Conversely, states like Colorado offer more modest compensation, with governors earning $90,000, reflecting lower costs of living and budgetary constraints.
Economic factors, such as state prosperity and cost of living, heavily influence governor salaries. States with thriving economies and higher costs of living tend to offer more competitive compensation to attract top talent, while those facing budget limitations may offer more modest salaries. Additionally, regional disparities play a role, with Eastern states typically offering higher compensation compared to those in the Midwest or South.
Understanding these disparities is crucial for policymakers and voters alike. Competitive governor salaries ensure states can attract and retain skilled leadership, vital for effective governance. Moreover, equitable compensation reflects a commitment to fairness and accountability in state leadership. As states continue to navigate complex challenges, addressing factors influencing governor salaries remains essential to support effective governance and leadership across the nation.
