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
Governor: Kay Ivey (Republican)
Salary: $131,800
Alaska
Governor: Mike Dunleavy (Republican)
Salary: $176,000
Arizona
Governor: Katie Hobbs (Democrat)
Salary: $95,000
The 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
Governor: Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican)
Salary: $166,771
California
Governor: Gavin Newsom (Democrat)
Salary: $242,295
As 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
Governor: Jared Polis (Democrat)
Salary: $134,632
The 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
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
Governor: Matt Meyer (Democrat)
Salary: $185,096
From July 2025 until 2029, the salary for the governor of Delaware is $185,096, per the state legislature.
Florida
Governor: Ron DeSantis (Republican)
Salary: $141,400
The 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
Governor: Brian Kemp (Republican)
Salary: $182,000
While 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
Governor: Josh Green (Democrat)
Salary: $184,860
Idaho
Governor: Brad Little (Republican)
Salary: $151,400
Illinois
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
Governor: Mike Braun (Republican)
Salary: $220,418
Indiana governor Mike Braun, who makes $220,418 each year per the Indiana state government, is the sixth-highest-paid governor in the US.
Iowa
Governor: Kim Reynolds (Republican)
Salary: $130,000
Kansas
Governor: Laura Kelly (Democrat)
Salary: $110,707
Kentucky
Governor: Andy Beshear (Democrat)
Salary: $184,826
Louisiana
Governor: Jeff Landry (Republican)
Salary: $129,394
Maine
Governor: Janet Mills (Democrat)
Salary: $70,000
With a salary of $70,000, Maine governor Janet Mills is the lowest-paid governor in the US.
Maryland
Governor: Wes Moore (Democrat)
Salary: $192,000
As 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
Governor: Maura Healey (Democrat)
Salary: $222,185
Massachusetts 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
Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat)
Salary: $159,300
Minnesota
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
Governor: Tate Reeves (Republican)
Salary: $160,000
Missouri
Governor: Mike Kehoe (Republican)
Salary: $142,658
Montana
Governor: Greg Gianforte (Republican)
Salary: $141,517
Nebraska
Governor: Jim Pillen (Republican)
Salary: $105,000
Nebraska governor Jim Pillen, who earns $105,000 a year in 2025, per state legislature, is the fourth-lowest paid governor in the US.
Nevada
Governor: Joe Lombardo (Republican)
Salary: $170,062
New Hampshire
Governor: Kelly Ayotte (Republican)
Salary: $163,510
New Jersey
Governor: Phil Murphy (Democrat)
Salary: $175,000
Although 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
Governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat)
Salary: $110,000
New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is the sixth-lowest-paid governor in the US.
New York
Governor: Kathy Hochul (Democrat)
Salary: $250,000
With a salary of $250,000 established by New York law, Kathy Hochul is the highest-paid governor in the US.
North Carolina
Governor: Josh Stein (Democrat)
Salary: $203,073
North 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
Governor: Kelly Armstrong (Republican)
Salary: $163,107
Ohio
Governor: Mike DeWine (Republican)
Salary: $172,665
As of 2024, the Ohio governor, Mike DeWine, has a salary of $172,665.
Oklahoma
Governor: Kevin Stitt (Republican)
Salary: $147,000
While 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
Governor: Tina Kotek (Democrat)
Salary: $98,600
The Oregon governor takes home the third-lowest pay out of all governors.
Pennsylvania
Governor: Josh Shapiro (Democrat)
Salary: $245,760
Shapiro 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
Governor: Daniel McKee (Democrat)
Salary: $163,295
South Carolina
Governor: Henry McMaster (Republican)
Salary: $106,078
With 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
Governor: Larry Rhoden (Republican)
Salary: $146,472
Tennessee
Governor: Bill Lee (Republican)
Salary: $204,336
The 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
Governor: Greg Abbott (Republican)
Salary: $153,750
As of 2021, Texas governor Greg Abbott makes $153,750 a year, per state records.
Utah
Governor: Spencer Cox (Republican)
Salary: $182,900
Vermont
Governor: Phil Scott (Republican)
Salary: $234,379
Vermont governor Phil Scott’s 2024 salary was $222,371, with the number rising to $234,379 in 2025, per the Vermont General Assembly.
Virginia
Governor: Glenn Youngkin (Republican)
Salary: $175,000
Although 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
Governor: Bob Ferguson (Democrat)
Salary: $218,744
West Virginia
Governor: Patrick Morrisey (Republican)
Salary: $190,424
Starting 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
Governor: Tony Evers (Democrat)
Salary: $175,802
Wyoming
Governor: Mark Gordon (Republican)
Salary: $140,000
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