Gavin Newsom makes $201,680 a year, the highest paid of any Governor in the United States. Newsom also runs the country’s largest state with 39 million residents. The cost of living in California is 14.8% higher than the national average, and per capita, has the 8th highest tax collection at $3,936. By comparison, State Senators earn a fixed annual income of $174,000.
The numbers come from an annual compensation report by the Council of State Governments. It also outlines various elements of expenses and reimbursements.
The next highest paid Governor is Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York. He makes $200,000 a year.
Here are the top 10 highest paid:
- California: Gavin Newsom (D) -- $201,680
- New York: Andrew Cuomo (D) -- $200,000
- Pennsylvania: Tom Wolf (D) -- $194,850
- Tennessee: Bill Lee – (R) -- $194,112
- Massachusetts: Charlie Baker (R) -- $185,000
- Washington: Jay Inslee (D) -- $183,072
- Vermont: Phil Scott (R) -- $178,274
- Illinois: JB Pritzker (D) -- $177,412
- Virginia: Ralph Northam (D) -- $175,000
- New Jersey: Phil Murphy (D) -- $175,000
This is Janet Mills, the Governor of Maine.
And, this is Wanda Vasquez Garced, The Governor of Puerto Rico.
These ladies tie for the lowest paid Governors at $70,000 per year.
While the salaries of federal politicians are fixed, state compensations can vary by state.
Photos: Offices of Newsom, Mills, Vasquez-Garced