Here's how much the governor of every US state makes ahead of the midterm elections, ranked

Josh Shapiro is the highest-paid governor in the US. The annual salaries of state governors vary, with the lowest being $70,000 in Maine. Josh Shapiro, Kathy Hochul, and Spencer Cox are among the highest-paid US governors. The average annual salary for a state governor is $174,479 in 2026. In some states, being the governor doesn't automatically make you a top earner. With voters in 36 states heading to the polls to elect governors in November's midterm elections, the annual salaries attached to the job vary dramatically across the country — from $70,000 in Maine to over $250,000 in Pennsylvania. Across all 50 states, governors earn an average official annual salary of $174,479 and are subject to federal and state income taxes — except in states without income tax, such as Florida and 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 income beyond their state salaries through investments, book deals, and other sources, the income they may 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 state salaries. Beyond the salary, other financial perks of being 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 each year, based on the most recent available state records, salary commissions, legislation, and public payroll data. 50. Maine Staff photo by Carl D. Walsh/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images 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. The salary for Maine's next governor is set to rise to $125,000 in 2027 under new legislation, marking the first raise in the governor's salary in the state since 1987. After two terms, Mills is now term-limited. Democrat Hannah Pingree and Republican Bobby Charles are facing off to become the state's next governor in the November midterm election. 49. Governor: Katie Hobbs (Democrat) Salary: $95,000 The Arizona governor, who has the second-lowest salary among US governors, will be eligible to receive a salary of $165,000 starting in 2027, per the state legislature. Democrat Katie Hobbs is running for a second term in the November midterm election. 48. Governor: Tina Kotek (Democrat) Salary: $98,600 Oregon law sets the governor's annual salary at $98,600 and provides a separate $1,000 monthly expense payment. The salary is one of the lowest for any governor in the US. Democrat Tina Kotek is up for reelection during the November midterms, seeking a second term. 47. Governor: Jim Pillen (Republican) Salary: $105,000 Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, who earned $105,000 a year in 2025, per the state legislature, is the fourth-lowest-paid governor in the US. Republican Jim Pillen is up for reelection, seeking a second term in the November midterm elections. 46. South Carolina Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images 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. After two full terms, McMaster is now term-limited. Republican Alan Wilson and Democrat Jermaine Johnson are facing off in the race to become the state's next governor in the midterm election. 45. Governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat) Salary: $110,000 New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is the sixth-lowest-paid governor in the US. New Mexico's next governor will receive a salary of $169,714 starting with the next gubernatorial term in 2027. Lujan Grisham is term-limited after serving two terms. Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Gregg Hull are competing to succeed her in the November midterm election. 43. (tie) Louisiana Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Governor: Jeff Landry (Republican) Salary: $130,000 Louisiana law set the governor's salary at $130,000 in 2026. The salary has remained unchanged since January 2008. 43. (tie) Iowa Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Governor: Kim Reynolds (Republican) Salary: $130,000 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds earns an annual salary of $130,000, according to the state's official employee salary records. Reynolds is not running for reelection, leaving Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn competing for the open governor seat in the November midterms. 42. 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. After nearly eight years in office, Polis is now term-limited. Democrat Phil Weiser and Republican Victor Marx are competing to become Colorado's next governor in the November midterm. 41. Governor: Kay Ivey (Republican) Salary: $134,780 In fiscal year 2026, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey had a salary of $134,780, per the state's Department of Finance. After two full terms in office, Ivey is now term-limited. Republican Tommy Tuberville and Democrat Doug Jones are facing off to become the state's next governor in the upcoming midterm election. 40. Wyoming Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Governor: Mark Gordon (Republican) Salary: $140,000 Wyoming law sets the governor's salary at $140,000 in 2026. Mark Gordon is term-limited after two terms, leaving Republican Eric Barlow and Democrat Kenneth Casner competing for governor in the November midterm election. 39. Governor: Ron DeSantis (Republican) Salary: $141,400 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis earns $141,400 per year, according to state records. DeSantis is term-limited after two terms in office. Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are competing for governor in the November midterms. 38. Governor: Greg Gianforte (Republican) Salary: $141,517 Gianforte, who made his fortune in tech, donates his salary to Montana nonprofits. In 2025, his office said he had donated his entire gubernatorial salary to organizations supporting Montanans in need. 37. Missouri Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Governor: Mike Kehoe (Republican) Salary: $145,095 Missouri law sets the governor's salary at $145,095 as of 2026. 36. Governor: Kevin Stitt (Republican) Salary: $147,000 While the current Oklahoma governor, Kevin Stitt, has a salary of $147,000 in 2026, his successor will see a raise to $185,000, per Oklahoma's Journal Record. After nearly eight years in office, Stitt is now term-limited. Republican Mike Mazzei and Democrat Cyndi Munson are facing off to become the state's next governor in the midterm election. 35. South Dakota South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden makes $146,472 a year in 2025. Toby Brusseau/AP Governor: Larry Rhoden (Republican) Salary: $148,522 South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden earns $148,522 a year in 2026, per the state's pay transparency website. Republican Larry Rhoden, who took office last year following Kristi Noem's resignation, is up for election in November, seeking a full term. 34. Idaho Darin Oswald/The Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Governor: Brad Little (Republican) Salary: $151,400 Idaho Governor Brad Little makes $151,400 in 2026, per state records. Little is seeking a third term in the midterm elections this November. 33. Texas Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Governor: Greg Abbott (Republican) Salary: $153,750 As of 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott makes $153,750 a year, per state records. Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the midterm election this November. 32. Michigan Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat) Salary: $159,300 Michigan law sets the governor's salary at $159,300. Governor Gretchen Whitmer also receives a $54,000 annual expense allowance, according to the State Officers Compensation Commission. After nearly eight years in office, Whitmer is now term-limited. Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James are facing off to become Michigan's next governor in the November midterm election. 31. Governor: Tate Reeves (Republican) Salary: $160,000 Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves earns a salary of $160,000 in 2026, according to the state's personnel board. 30. Rhode Island David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Governor: Daniel McKee (Democrat) Salary: $163,295 Rhode Island's governor, Daniel McKee, earns a salary of $163,295, according to the state's pay transparency portal. After losing the Democratic primary, incumbent Dan McKee will not be on the ballot. Democrat Helena Foulkes and Republican Aaron Guckian are facing off to become the state's next governor in the midterm election. 29. Governor: Kelly Ayotte (Republican) Salary: $165,027 New Hampshire law sets the governor's salary at $165,027. Republican Kelly Ayotte is up for reelection this November, seeking a second two-year term in the midterm election. 28. for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Governor: Tony Evers (Democrat) Salary: $165,568 Wisconsin law bans salary changes for a governor during their term in office. Gov. Tony Evers has received an annual salary of $165,568 since beginning his second term in January 2023, up from $152,756 during his first term. Evers is not seeking reelection. The state's next governor is slated to receive an annual salary of $184,684 when they take office in January 2027, according to Wisconsin's official compensation plan. Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany are facing off in the November midterm election. 27. North Dakota Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Governor: Kelly Armstrong (Republican) Salary: $168,000 North Dakota's governor's salary is $168,000 following a July raise, per state legislation. 26. Nevada Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Governor: Joe Lombardo (Republican) Salary: $170,062 The Reno Gazette Journal reported in May that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo makes $170,062 a year. Lombardo is up for reelection in the November midterm elections, seeking a second term. 25. Governor: Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican) Salary: $171,808 In October, an independent commission in Arkansas voted to raise Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' salary to $171,808 annually. Sanders is running for a second term in the November midterm election. 24. Kansas Michael B. Governor: Laura Kelly (Democrat) Salary: $174,000 In 2023, Kansas raised the governor's annual salary starting January 1, 2025, tying the office's pay to the salary of a non-leadership member of Congress, according to state legislation. Kelly is term-limited after two terms, leaving Democrat Cindy Holscher and Republican Ty Masterson competing for the governor's seat in the November midterm elections. 23. Governor: Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) Salary: $175,000 Virginia law sets the governor's salary at $175,000 in 2026. 22. Governor: Mike DeWine (Republican) Salary: $180,203 Ohio set the governor's salary in a 2018 law that established yearly pay increases for statewide elected officials through 2028, per state law. After the 2026 increase, Gov. Mike DeWine's salary is about $180,203. DeWine is term-limited after two terms. Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy are competing for the governor's seat in the midterm elections. 21. Governor: Mike Dunleavy (Republican) Salary: $182,787 In 2025, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy had a salary of $182,787, per the state's Department of Administration. After two terms in the governor's seat, Dunleavy is now term-limited. Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Republicans David Bronson, Treg Taylor, and Bernadette Wilson are facing off to become the state's next governor in the November midterm election. 20. Georgia Alex Wroblewski for the Washington Post Governor: Brian Kemp (Republican) Salary: $185,000 In fiscal year 2025, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp earned a salary of $185,000 and also received over $56,506 in travel reimbursements during the year, according to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' financial transparency portal. After two terms in office, Kemp is term-limited. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson are running to be the state's next governor in the midterm election. 19. 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. 18. Governor: Andy Beshear (Democrat) Salary: $188,523 Kentucky's governor, Andy Beshear, has a salary of $188,523, per the state's pay transparency portal. 17. Governor: Patrick Morrisey (Republican) Salary: $190,424 Since 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 the US, per the state legislature. That puts current governor Patrick Morrisey's salary at $190,424. 16. Maryland Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Governor: Wes Moore (Democrat) Salary: $192,000 As of his third year as Maryland governor, per the state legislature, Wes Moore's salary was $192,000 in 2025. The governor's salary will increase during the next term, starting at $195,000 in 2027 and reaching $210,000 by the fourth year, according to Maryland's Governor's Salary Commission. Moore is running for a second term in the November midterm elections. 15. Minnesota DOMINIC GWINN/ Governor: Tim Walz (Democrat) Salary: $200,000 The Minnesota governor's official salary is $200,000 after a July raise, per the Minnesota Legislature. Tim Walz previously declined salary raises while in office and accepted only a $127,629 salary. But during his last six months in office, he accepted his full salary, as reported by Minnesota Public Radio. After two terms as governor, Walz is not running for reelection. Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Lisa Demuth will face off in November in a race to become the state's next governor. 14. Governor: Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker (Democrat) Salary: $205,700 (foregone) Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a member of the Pritzker family that founded 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. Pritzker is up for reelection this November, seeking a third term in the midterm elections. 13. North Carolina RYAN M. Governor: Josh Stein (Democrat) Salary: $209,165 North Carolina state law sets the governor's salary at $209,165 in 2026. 12. New Jersey New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill earns $210,000 a year. Governor: Mikie Sherrill (Democrat) Salary: $210,000 State law sets New Jersey's governor's salary at $210,000 after a 2023 increase. 11. Governor: Mike Braun (Republican) Salary: $220,418 Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who earns $220,418 a year, according to the Indiana state government, is the 11th-highest-paid governor in the US. 10. Hawaii PATRICK T. Governor: Josh Green (Democrat) Salary: $226,620 Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, is now the 10th-highest-paid following a July raise passed by the state legislature. Green is running for a second term in the midterm elections 9. Connecticut Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Governor: Ned Lamont (Democrat) Salary: $226,711 (forgone) Although the State of Connecticut sets the governor's salary at $226,711, the independently wealthy Ned Lamont has chosen to forgo the salary while in office. Lamont made his money in telecommunications and investments. He's also the great-grandson of Thomas W. Lamont, a former chair of J. P. Morgan & Co. who built substantial wealth in banking. Lamont is up for reelection this November, seeking a third term in the midterm elections. 8. Governor: Bob Ferguson (Democrat) Salary: $234,275 Washington's governor earns $234,275 following a July raise, making Bob Ferguson the eighth-highest paid governor in the US. 7. Massachusetts Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Governor: Maura Healey (Democrat) Salary: $243,493 Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey received a salary of $243,493 in 2025, per the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, making hers the seventh-highest governor's salary in the US. Healey is seeking a second term in the November midterm elections. 6. Vermont John Lazenby/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Governor: Phil Scott (Republican) Salary: $243,520 Vermont law lists the governor's salary at $243,520 following a July raise, making the office the sixth-highest paid in the country. Gov. Phil Scott is running for a sixth term in the midterm elections. 5. Governor: Gavin Newsom (Democrat) Salary: $245,929 As of May 2026, the California Department of Human Resources listed the governor's salary as $245,929, making Gavin Newsom the fifth-highest-paid governor in the US. After two terms, Newsom is now term-limited. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are facing off in a race to become the state's next governor in the midterm election. 4. Tennessee Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Governor: Bill Lee (Republican) Salary: $246,108 Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee earns $246,108 annually as of August, based on a monthly salary of $20,509 listed in the state's public payroll database. After two terms in office, Lee is term-limited. Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green are running for the governor's seat in the midterm election this November. 3. Governor: Spencer Cox (Republican) Salary: $249,250 In March 2026, the Utah Legislature passed a bill setting the governor's salary equal to that of the chief justice of the state supreme court, which is $249,250. The raise made Spencer Cox the third-highest-paid governor in the US. 2. New York Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Governor: Kathy Hochul (Democrat) Salary: $250,000 With a salary of $250,000 established by New York law, Kathy Hochul is the second-highest-paid governor in the US. Hochul is seeking a second full term in the midterm elections. 1. Pennsylvania Jason Ardan/The Citizens' Voice via Getty Images Governor: Josh Shapiro (Democrat) Salary: $253,870 Shapiro's salary rose from $245,760 in 2025 to $253,870 in 2026 after a 3.3% cost-of-living increase, according to the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. The raise made him the highest-paid governor in the US. Shapiro is up for reelection in the midterm elections this November, seeking a second term. Read the original article on Business Insider

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