You’d think being the CEO of an entire state would come with a paycheck that rivals a Fortune 500 executive. Honestly, it doesn't. While the responsibility is massive—handling multi-billion dollar budgets, managing thousands of employees, and being the face of a state during a crisis—the actual take-home pay varies wildly from coast to coast.
So, how much does a governor make?
The short answer: anywhere from $70,000 to over $250,000 a year. But that’s just the base salary. When you dig into the perks, the mansion, and the weird reality that some of the wealthiest governors actually work for free, the numbers get a lot more interesting.
The Massive Gap Between the Highest and Lowest Paid
In the United States, there is no federal standard for what a governor should earn. Each state decides for itself, usually through the legislature or a dedicated compensation commission. This creates a bizarre landscape where one governor might earn triple what their neighbor makes across the state line.
New York and the Top Earners
As of early 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul continues to sit at the top of the pile. Her salary is set at $250,000. It’s a significant chunk of change, reflecting the high cost of living and the sheer complexity of running a state with a budget larger than many sovereign nations.
Pennsylvania isn't far behind. Governor Josh Shapiro is currently poised to become one of the highest-paid in the nation, with his salary trending toward that $250k mark due to automatic cost-of-living adjustments. California and Massachusetts also consistently rank in the top tier, with governors in these states typically clearing **$220,000 to $245,000** annually.
Maine and the Low End
Then you have Maine. Governor Janet Mills earns $70,000 a year.
Read that again.
It is the lowest gubernatorial salary in the country and has been for a long time. For context, many mid-level managers at a local Costco or a suburban school principal make more than the Governor of Maine. Colorado and Arizona also hover on the lower end, with base pays often sitting below the $100,000 mark.
Why the Pay Is All Over the Place
You might wonder why a state like Colorado, which is booming, pays its governor so much less than, say, Tennessee ($204,336).
It basically comes down to state law and optics.
In many states, raising the governor's salary is political suicide. Nobody wants to be the legislator who voted to give the "boss" a raise while teachers are struggling. Consequently, some salaries haven't been significantly updated in decades. Others have "automatic" increases tied to inflation or the raises given to other state employees, which allows the pay to creep up without a controversial vote every year.
The Governors Who Work for Free (Sorta)
One of the most fascinating parts of this is the "refusal" list.
There are plenty of governors who are already independently wealthy. When you're a billionaire like Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a state salary is basically rounding error.
- J.B. Pritzker (Illinois): Has consistently refused his salary (roughly $205,700).
- Ned Lamont (Connecticut): Also opted to forgo his $226,711 salary.
- Tim Walz (Minnesota): While the official salary for the Minnesota governor is set to hit $200,000 by July 2026, Walz has historically chosen to keep his actual take-home pay at a lower rate ($127,629) to stay in line with what he believes is fair for the state’s fiscal climate.
Some governors take the money but donate it to local charities or the state treasury. It’s a powerful PR move, especially during a budget crunch or a government shutdown.
The "Hidden" Compensation: More Than Just a Check
If you only look at the $150,000 average, being a governor looks like a mid-tier professional gig. But the "perks" are where the real value lies.
Most governors (though not all) live in an official Governor’s Mansion. We’re talking about historic, sprawling estates with chefs, groundskeepers, and house staff—all paid for by the taxpayers. If you had to pay rent or a mortgage on those properties in a capital city, you’d be looking at $10,000 to $30,000 a month.
Then there’s the security. Governors travel with a detail (usually State Police). They have drivers. They don’t pay for gas. They don’t deal with TSA. While these are "business expenses," they represent a lifestyle that $150,000 usually can't buy.
The Pension Factor
The real "wealth" in public service often comes after the term is over. Many states offer generous pension plans for constitutional officers. If a governor serves two terms, they might be eligible for a lifetime pension that pays out a significant percentage of their highest salary.
Plus, the post-governorship career is lucrative. Speaking fees, board seats, and book deals can turn a "low-paid" Maine governor into a millionaire pretty quickly once they leave Augusta.
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Is the Pay Fair?
There are two ways to look at this.
One side says that if you want the best talent—people who can manage a $50 billion budget—you have to pay for it. If you keep the salary at $70,000, you only get two types of candidates: the independently wealthy who don't need the money, or people who might be "distracted" by the need for future lucrative favors.
The other side says public service is a sacrifice. It’s not supposed to be about the money.
Interestingly, in many states, the Governor is not the highest-paid state employee. That title almost always goes to the head football or basketball coach at the state’s largest university. In Alabama or Texas, the governor's salary is a tiny fraction of what the guy on the sidelines is making.
What You Should Do With This Information
If you’re looking into gubernatorial salaries because you’re interested in a career in public service, or just curious about where your tax dollars go, here are a few ways to stay informed:
- Check Your State's Transparency Portal: Most states have a "Transparency" or "Open Checkbook" website where you can see the exact salary of every state employee, including the governor.
- Follow the Compensation Commission: If your state has a "Citizens' Commission on Salaries," their meetings are usually public. This is where the real talk about pay raises happens.
- Look at the Full Budget: Don't just look at the salary. Look at the "Executive Office" budget in the state's annual financial report to see what the mansion and staff actually cost.
Understanding the math behind the mask helps you see the reality of political power. It’s rarely about the paycheck; it’s about the platform.
To get a clearer picture of how your specific state handles these costs, look up your state's most recent "Executive Branch Salary Report" or the latest "Book of the States" published by the Council of State Governments. These documents break down the exact figures, including the fringe benefits that don't always show up on a standard pay stub.