Governors are the highest-ranking officials in state government. Much like CEOs in the private sector, governors serve as the chief executives of their state, wielding exclusive power and shouldering the responsibility that comes with the post. However, as public servants, state governors are generally compensated far less than their private-sector counterparts.
The average pay among CEOs of America’s 500 largest companies was $14 million in 2017 — more than double the combined salaries of all 50 state governors. Still, just as it does in the private sector, compensation for the top job varies from state to state. In some states, governors earn more than double the salaries of governors of other states.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the listed salary of governors in each state to identify America’s highest-paid governors. These salaries do not factor in common benefits such as housing, access to government vehicles, and travel allowances and reimbursement.
While the size of the state and the number of constituents each governor is accountable for does not appear to directly impact compensation, many of the highest-paid governors work in more populous states.
Click here to see America’s highest-paid governors.
Click here to read our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Sarah Rice / Getty Images
50. Paul LePage (R) – Maine
> Salary: $70,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,105 per capita (14th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 8.7% more expensive than avg. (19th highest)
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Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
49. John Hickenlooper (D) – Colorado
> Salary: $90,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,314 per capita (14th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 13.7% more expensive than avg. (11th highest)
Source: Maury Phillips / Getty Images
48. Doug Ducey (R) – Arizona
> Salary: $95,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,124 per capita (12th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 6.0% more expensive than avg. (25th lowest)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
47. Kate Brown (D) – Oregon
> Salary: $98,600
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,703 per capita (25th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 10.2% more expensive than avg. (15th highest)
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Source: Mike P. Tiufekchiev, Governor's Office of the State of Kansas / Wikimedia Commons
46. Jeff Colyer (R) – Kansas
> Salary: $99,636
> Present term: January 2018 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,772 per capita (22nd highest)
> Statewide cost of living: Average (16th lowest)
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
45. Matthew Mead (R) – Wyoming
> Salary: $105,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,272 per capita (12th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 6.9% more expensive than avg. (25th highest)
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Source: Photo by Chris Kleponis - Pool / Getty Images
44. Pete Ricketts (R) – Nebraska
> Salary: $105,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,682 per capita (25th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.1% less expensive than avg. (15th lowest)
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Source: Sean Rayford / Getty Images
43. Henry McMaster (R) – South Carolina
> Salary: $106,078
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $1,926 per capita (4th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.2% less expensive than avg. (14th lowest)
Source: Mark Wilson / Getty Images
42. Susana Martinez (R) – New Mexico
> Salary: $110,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,619 per capita (22nd lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 3.4% more expensive than avg. (23rd lowest)
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Source: United States Department of State / Wikimedia Commons
41. Dennis Daugaard (R) – South Dakota
> Salary: $112,214
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,028 per capita (9th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 2.4% less expensive than avg. (6th lowest)
Source: Air National Guard photo by Maj. Randy Saldivar / Wikimedia Commons
40. Steve Bullock (D) – Montana
> Salary: $115,505
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $2,530 per capita (19th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 4.0% more expensive than avg. (24th lowest)
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
39. Bill Haslam (R) – Tennessee
> Salary: $119,116
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,013 per capita (8th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.4% less expensive than avg. (11th lowest)
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Source: Mark Wallheiser / Getty Images
38. Kay Ivey (R) – Alabama
> Salary: $120,395
> Present term: April 2017 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,041 per capita (10th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 4.4% less expensive than avg. (2nd lowest)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
37. Eric Holcomb (R) – Indiana
> Salary: $121,233
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $2,651 per capita (23rd lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.2% less expensive than avg. (14th lowest)
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
36. Phil Bryant (R) – Mississippi
> Salary: $122,160
> Present term: January 2016 – January 2020
> State tax collections: $2,566 per capita (20th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 4.6% less expensive than avg. (the lowest)
Source: U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Deborah Lockhart / Wikimedia Commons
35. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R) – Idaho
> Salary: $124,436
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,506 per capita (17th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 2.8% more expensive than avg. (21st lowest)
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Source: Csununu / Wikimedia Commons
34. Chris Sununu (R) – New Hampshire
> Salary: $127,443
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $1,979 per capita (5th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 16.9% more expensive than avg. (8th highest)
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Source: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images
33. Mark Dayton (D) – Minnesota
> Salary: $127,629
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $4,559 per capita (4th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 7.7% more expensive than avg. (21st highest)
Source: Stephen Yang / Getty Images
32. Doug Burgum (R) – North Dakota
> Salary: $129,096
> Present term: December 2016 – December 2020
> State tax collections: $4,909 per capita (2nd highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 1.1% more expensive than avg. (18th lowest)
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Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
31. John Bel Edwards (D) – Louisiana
> Salary: $130,000
> Present term: January 2016 – January 2020
> State tax collections: $1,987 per capita (6th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.2% less expensive than avg. (14th lowest)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
30. Kim Reynolds (R) – Iowa
> Salary: $130,000
> Present term: May 2017 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,053 per capita (17th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.4% less expensive than avg. (11th lowest)
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Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
29. Rick Scott (R) – Florida
> Salary: $130,273
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $1,822 per capita (2nd lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 10.2% more expensive than avg. (15th highest)
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Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
28. Mike Parson (R) – Missouri
> Salary: $133,821
> Present term: June 2018 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $2,010 per capita (7th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 1.2% less expensive than avg. (9th lowest)
Source: Davis Turner / Getty Images
27. Nathan Deal (R) – Georgia
> Salary: $139,339
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,080 per capita (11th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 1.8% more expensive than avg. (19th lowest)
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Source: Paul Morigi / Getty Images
26. Gina Raimondo (D) – Rhode Island
> Salary: $139,695
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,088 per capita (15th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 10.0% more expensive than avg. (17th highest)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
25. Asa Hutchinson (R) – Arkansas
> Salary: $143,820
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,163 per capita (13th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 4.0% less expensive than avg. (3rd lowest)
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Source: Sara D. Davis / Getty Images
24. Roy Cooper (D) – North Carolina
> Salary: $144,349
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $2,580 per capita (21st lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 0.4% more expensive than avg. (17th lowest)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
23. Bill Walker (Independent) – Alaska
> Salary: $145,000
> Present term: December 2014 – December 2018
> State tax collections: $1,405 per capita (the lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 16.4% more expensive than avg. (10th highest)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
22. Matt Bevin (R) – Kentucky
> Salary: $145,992
> Present term: December 2015 – December 2019
> State tax collections: $2,655 per capita (24th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 3.1% less expensive than avg. (5th lowest)
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
21. Scott Walker (R) – Wisconsin
> Salary: $146,786
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,050 per capita (18th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 2.5% more expensive than avg. (20th lowest)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
20. Mary Fallin (R) – Oklahoma
> Salary: $147,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,165 per capita (13th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 1.7% less expensive than avg. (7th lowest)
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
19. John Kasich (R) – Ohio
> Salary: $148,886
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,469 per capita (16th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 1.4% less expensive than avg. (8th lowest)
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
18. Brian Sandoval (R) – Nevada
> Salary: $149,573
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,730 per capita (24th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 7.6% more expensive than avg. (22nd highest)
Source: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images
17. Dan Malloy (D) – Connecticut
> Salary: $150,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $4,249 per capita (5th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 20.1% more expensive than avg. (6th highest)
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Source: George Frey / Getty Images
16. Gary R. Herbert (R) – Utah
> Salary: $150,000
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $2,327 per capita (15th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 7.5% more expensive than avg. (23rd highest)
Source: Hunter Martin / Getty Images
15. Virginia Jim Justice (R) – West Virginia
> Salary: $150,000
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $2,804 per capita (21st highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 3.3% less expensive than avg. (4th lowest)
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Source: Isaac Brekken / Getty Images
14. Charlie Baker (R) – Massachusetts
> Salary: $151,800
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,998 per capita (7th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 19.1% more expensive than avg. (7th highest)
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Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
13. Greg Abbott (R) – Texas
> Salary: $153,750
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $1,868 per capita (3rd lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 7.1% more expensive than avg. (24th highest)
Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images
12. David Ige (D) – Hawaii
> Salary: $155,592
> Present term: December 2014 – December 2018
> State tax collections: $4,843 per capita (3rd highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 30.8% more expensive than avg. (the highest)
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Source: Brett Carlsen / Getty Images
11. Rick Snyder (R) – Michigan
> Salary: $159,300
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,762 per capita (23rd highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 3.0% more expensive than avg. (22nd lowest)
Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
10. Phil Scott (R) – Vermont
> Salary: $166,046
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $4,950 per capita (the highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 12.3% more expensive than avg. (13th highest)
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Source: Andrew Burton / Getty Images
9. Larry Hogan (R) – Maryland
> Salary: $170,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,468 per capita (11th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 20.9% more expensive than avg. (5th highest)
Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images
8. John Carney (D) – Delaware
> Salary: $171,000
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $3,697 per capita (9th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 10.7% more expensive than avg. (14th highest)
Source: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / Getty Images
7. Phil Murphy (D) – New Jersey
> Salary: $175,000
> Present term: January 2018 – January 2022
> State tax collections: $3,514 per capita (10th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 25.0% more expensive than avg. (4th highest)
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Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
6. Ralph Northam (D) – Virginia
> Salary: $175,000
> Present term: January 2018 – January 2022
> State tax collections: $2,522 per capita (18th lowest)
> Statewide cost of living: 13.0% more expensive than avg. (12th highest)
Source: David Ryder / Getty Images
5. Jay Inslee (D) – Washington
> Salary: $175,353
> Present term: January 2017 – January 2021
> State tax collections: $3,060 per capita (16th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 16.6% more expensive than avg. (9th highest)
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Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
4. Bruce Rauner (R) – Illinois
> Salary: $177,412
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,854 per capita (20th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 9.3% more expensive than avg. (18th highest)
Source: Michael Nagle / Getty Images
3. Andrew Cuomo (D) – New York
> Salary: $179,000
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $4,101 per capita (6th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 27.7% more expensive than avg. (2nd highest)
Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images
2. Tom Wolf (D) – Pennsylvania
> Salary: $194,850
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $2,924 per capita (19th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 8.7% more expensive than avg. (19th highest)
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Source: David Paul Morris / Getty Images
1. Jerry Brown (D) – California
> Salary: $195,803
> Present term: January 2015 – January 2019
> State tax collections: $3,950 per capita (8th highest)
> Statewide cost of living: 26.4% more expensive than avg. (3rd highest)
Detailed Findings
In all states, governors’ salaries are not tied to their party affiliation. However, the highest-paid sitting governors are disproportionately Democrats. Outgoing Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is the only Republican to rank among the five governors with the highest salaries.
States with high salaries for their chief executives tend to have relatively high government spending in general, as reflected by tax collections. Annual state tax collections per capita exceed the $2,869 average across all states in eight of the 10 states with the highest-paid governors. Meanwhile, per-capita state tax collections are below average in eight of the 10 states with the the lowest-salaried governors.
Overall cost of living may also be a factor in determining a governor’s salary. States such as California and New York have two of the three highest-paid governors in the country. They also have a near nation-leading cost of living — 26.4% and 27.7% more expensive than the average cost of living nationwide, respectively.
Of course, the amount of money a state allocates to its governor’s salary does not always reflect what that governor collects. For example, Rick Scott has refused the Florida governor’s salary of $130,273, to which he is entitled, every year since taking office. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner only accepts $1 a year in taxpayer money and does not use state benefits. The governors of Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Tennessee also take either a reduced salary or return their salary to the state.
Often, these governors are independently wealthy. For example, according to Scott’s most recent tax return, he earned $83 million through investments in 2017.
Methodology
To identify America’s highest paid governors, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed governor compensation data from The Council of State Governments. State governors were ranked by the listed salary for the position as of April 2018. Our ranking did not change to reflect governors who refuse or reduce their salaries. State tax collections per capita came from the Tax Foundation and are for fiscal 2016. Cost of living is from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and is as of 2016.
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