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
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. Arizona
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. Oregon
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. Nebraska
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
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. 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 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
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
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. 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.
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. Alabama
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
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. Florida
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. Montana
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
Governor: Mike Kehoe (Republican)
Salary: $145,095
Missouri law sets the governor’s salary at $145,095 as of 2026.
36. Oklahoma
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
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
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
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
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. Mississippi
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
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. New Hampshire
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. 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
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
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. Arkansas
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
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. Virginia
Governor: Abigail Spanberger (Democrat)
Salary: $175,000
Virginia law sets the governor’s salary at $175,000 in 2026.
22. Ohio
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. Alaska
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
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. 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.
18. Kentucky
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. West Virginia
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
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
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. Illinois
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
Governor: Josh Stein (Democrat)
Salary: $209,165
North Carolina state law sets the governor’s salary at $209,165 in 2026.
12. New Jersey
Governor: Mikie Sherrill (Democrat)
Salary: $210,000
State law sets New Jersey’s governor’s salary at $210,000 after a 2023 increase.
11. Indiana
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
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
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. Washington
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
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
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. California
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
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. Utah
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
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
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
The post Here’s how much the governor of every US state makes ahead of the midterm elections, ranked appeared first on Business Insider.
