21 new governors are taking office after the midterm elections. See what their salaries will be.

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Split image of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn

The annual salaries of state governors vary, with the lowest in Maine at $70,000.
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.

After the midterm, 21 US states will welcome new residents to the governor's mansion — but in many of them, leading the state doesn't automatically make you a top earner.

The annual salaries attached to the governor's job can 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 well below the ultrarich but also above the 2025 national average wage index of $72,800, 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 (D)

Salary: $70,000

With a salary of $70,000, current Maine Gov. Janet Mills is the lowest-paid governor in the US.

The salary for Maine's next officeholder, Democratic governor-elect Hannah Pingree, 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.

49. Arizona

Governor: Katie Hobbs (D)

Salary: $95,000

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, who won her reelection bid on Tuesday, has the second-lowest salary among US governors. Hobbs will be eligible to receive a salary of $165,000 starting in 2027, per the state legislature.

48. Oregon

Governor: Tina Kotek (D)

Salary: $98,600

Oregon law sets the governor's annual salary at $98,600 and provides a separate $1,000 monthly expense payment.

Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek won her reelection bid in the midterms and is set to have the lowest salary among all US governors after other states' executive pay raises take effect in 2027.

47. Nebraska

Governor: Jim Pillen (R)

Salary: $105,000

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, who secured a second term during the midterm elections, earned $105,000 a year in 2025, per the state legislature, and is the fourth-lowest-paid governor in the US.

46. South Carolina

Governor: Henry McMaster (R)

Salary: $106,078

According to state records, the South Carolina governor's $106,078 salary is the fifth-lowest in the US.

Republican governor-elect Alan Wilson will succeed McMaster in the role after defeating Democratic candidate Jermaine Johnson in the midterm elections.

45. New Mexico

New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)

Salary: $110,000

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is the sixth-lowest-paid governor in the US.

New Mexico's next executive, Democratic governor-elect Deb Haaland, will receive a salary of $169,714 when she takes office in 2027.

43. (tie) Louisiana

Governor: Jeff Landry (R)

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 (R)

Salary: $130,000

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds earns an annual salary of $130,000, according to the state's official employee salary records.

Democratic governor-elect Rob Sand will succeed in the role after defeating Republican candidate Zach Lahn in the midterm elections.

42. Colorado

Governor: Jared Polis (D)

Salary: $134,632

The Colorado governor, previously among the lowest-paid in the nation, has received a salary of $134,632 since 2023, as outlined by state law.

Democratic governor-elect Phil Weiser will succeed him in the role after defeating Republican candidate Victor Marx in the November midterms.

41. Alabama

Governor: Kay Ivey (R)

Salary: $134,780

In fiscal year 2026, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey had a salary of $134,780, per the state's Department of Finance.

Republican governor-elect Tommy Tuberville will succeed her in the role following his victory in the midterm elections.

40. Wyoming

Governor: Mark Gordon (R)

Salary: $140,000

Wyoming law sets the governor's salary at $140,000 in 2026.

Republican governor-elect Eric Barlow will take office next year after winning in the midterm election.

39. Florida

Governor: Ron DeSantis (R)

Salary: $141,400

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earns $141,400 per year, according to state records.

Republican governor-elect Byron Donalds, who narrowly defeated Democratic candidate David Jolly in the midterms, will succeed him in office.

38. Montana

Governor: Greg Gianforte (R)

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 (R)

Salary: $145,095

Missouri law sets the governor's salary at $145,095 as of 2026.

36. Oklahoma

Governor: Kevin Stitt (R)

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.

Republican governor-elect Mike Mazzei will succeed him in office after winning in the November midterms.

35. South Dakota

Governor: Larry Rhoden (R)

Salary: $148,522

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden earns $148,522 a year in 2026, per the state's pay transparency website.

The governor, who took office last year following Kristi Noem's resignation, will continue in the role after winning his first full-term election in the midterms.

34. Idaho

Governor: Brad Little (R)

Salary: $151,400

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, who won his third-term reelection in the midterms, makes $151,400 in 2026, per state records.

33. Texas

Governor: Greg Abbott (R)

Salary: $153,750

As of 2026, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott makes $153,750 a year, per state records.

Abbott lost his November reelection bid to Democratic governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, who will take office in January.

32. Michigan

Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (D)

Salary: $159,300

Michigan law sets the governor's salary at $159,300. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also receives a $54,000 annual expense allowance, according to the State Officers Compensation Commission.

Democratic governor-elect Jocelyn Benson will succeed Whitmer in becoming the state's next governor after defeating Republican candidate John James in the midterm elections.

31. Mississippi

Governor: Tate Reeves (R)

Salary: $160,000

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves earns a salary of $160,000 in 2026, according to the state's personnel board.

30. Rhode Island

Governor: Daniel McKee (D)

Salary: $163,295

Rhode Island's governor, Daniel McKee, earns a salary of $163,295, according to the state's pay transparency portal.

Democratic governor-elect Helena Foulkes will become the state's next governor after winning in the midterm election.

29. New Hampshire

Governor: Kelly Ayotte (R)

Salary: $165,027

New Hampshire law sets the governor's salary at $165,027. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte will continue to receive her salary for her two-year term after winning the gubernatorial race in the midterm election.

28. Wisconsin

Governor: Tony Evers (D)

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.

Democratic governor-elect David Crowley is set to receive an annual salary of $184,684 when he takes office in January 2027, according to Wisconsin's official compensation plan.

27. North Dakota

Governor: Kelly Armstrong (R)

Salary: $168,000

North Dakota's governor's salary is $168,000 following a July raise, per state legislation.

26. Nevada

Governor: Joe Lombardo (R)

Salary: $170,062

The Reno Gazette Journal reported in May that Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo makes $170,062 a year.

After defeating Lombardo in the midterm elections, Democratic governor-elect Aaron Ford will lead the state starting in January.

25. Arkansas

Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Governor: Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R)

Salary: $171,808

In October, an independent commission in Arkansas voted to raise the salary of incumbent Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to $171,808 annually. Sanders secured a second term during the midterm elections.

24. Kansas

Governor: Laura Kelly (D)

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 Democratic Cindy Holscher and Republican Ty Masterson competing for the open governor's seat in a contested race that has not yet been called for either candidate.

23. Virginia

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on February 24, 2026 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Governor: Abigail Spanberger (D)

Salary: $175,000

Virginia law sets the governor's salary at $175,000 in 2026.

22. Ohio

Governor: Mike DeWine (R)

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.

Democratic governor-elect Amy Acton will become the state's next governor after defeating Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in the midterm elections.

21. Alaska

Governor: Mike Dunleavy (R)

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.

Democratic candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Republican David Bronson, Treg Taylor, and Bernadette Wilson are facing off to become the state's next governor in a tight race not yet called for any candidate.

20. Georgia

Governor: Brian Kemp (R)

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.

Democratic governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms will be the state's next governor after defeating Republican candidate Rick Jackson in the midterm election.

19. Delaware

Governor: Matt Meyer (D)

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 (D)

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 (R)

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 (D)

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 his next term — which he secured during the midterm elections — starting at $195,000 in 2027 and reaching $210,000 by the fourth year, according to Maryland's Governor's Salary Commission.

15. Minnesota

Governor: Tim Walz (D)

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.

Democratic governor-elect Amy Klobuchar will succeed Walz.

14. Illinois

Governor: Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker (D)

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 secured a third term after winning the gubernatorial race in the midterm elections.

13. North Carolina

Governor: Josh Stein (D)

Salary: $209,165

North Carolina state law sets the governor's salary at $209,165 in 2026.

12. New Jersey

Mikie Sherrill, governor-elect of New Jersey, during an inauguration ceremony at Prudential Hall at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Governor: Mikie Sherrill (D)

Salary: $210,000

State law sets New Jersey's governor's salary at $210,000 after a 2023 increase.

11. Indiana

Governor: Mike Braun (R)

Salary: $220,418

Indiana Gov. 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 (D)

Salary: $226,620

Hawaii's re-elected governor, Josh Green, is now the 10th-highest-paid following a July raise passed by the state legislature.

9. Connecticut

Governor: Ned Lamont (D)

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, who secured a third term in the midterms, built his wealth through 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.

8. Washington

Governor: Bob Ferguson (D)

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 (D)

Salary: $243,493

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who secured a second term during the midterms, 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.

6. Vermont

Governor: Phil Scott (R)

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. Republican governor Phil Scott secured a sixth term during the midterm elections.

5. California

Governor: Gavin Newsom (D)

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.

Democratic governor-elect Xavier Becerra will succeed Newsom in the office.

4. Tennessee

Governor: Bill Lee (R)

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.

Republican governor-elect Marsha Blackburn will succeed Lee in leading the state.

3. Utah

Governor: Spencer Cox (R)

Salary: $249,250

In March 2026, the Utah Legislature passed a bill setting the governor's salary at the same level as the chief justice of the state supreme court, $249,250.

The raise made Spencer Cox the third-highest-paid governor in the US.

2. New York

Governor: Kathy Hochul (D)

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 secured a second full term during the November midterms.

1. Pennsylvania

Governor: Josh Shapiro (D)

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 secured a second term with a sweeping victory during the midterm elections.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in November 2025 and most recently updated in November 2026.

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