• Pennsylvania – $110,015.54/year

$110,015.54 x 50 = $5,500,777

$110,015.54 x 203 = 22,333,154.62

$22,333,154.62 + $5,500,777 = $27,833,931.62

The base annual salary for a Pennsylvania State Representative is established by state law. For a rank-and-file lawmaker, this salary rose to more than $106,000 as of December 1, 2023. Looking ahead to 2025, the base salary is projected to increase to just above $110,000. This figure reflects the full-time nature of the General Assembly. The state constitution mandates that legislators receive a salary and mileage as fixed by law.

Beyond their base salary, Pennsylvania State Representatives receive additional compensation and allowances for official duties. One allowance is the per diem, a daily payment for expenses when representatives are on official business more than 50 miles from their home. Representatives can claim a flat per diem rate, such as $181 per day in Harrisburg, which includes $117 for housing and $64 for food, or an IRS-set rate of $202 per day in most of Pennsylvania. Per diems can often be claimed without providing detailed documentation.

Legislative efforts are underway to require itemized receipts for travel expenses and limit reimbursement to federal per diem rates, such as Senate Bill 554. House Bill 1330, introduced in 2025, aims to set an annual cap of $12,500 for actual expenses related to lodging, meals, home office costs, official postage, and staff expenses.

Leadership positions, such as Speaker of the House or Senate President Pro Tempore, receive additional stipends. In 2025, salaries for these top legislative leaders are expected to approach $172,000. Mileage for official travel is typically reimbursed at a rate tied to the federal standard, such as 65.5 cents per mile.

Pennsylvania State Representatives receive a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical and supplemental health benefits, similar to other Commonwealth employees.

For retirement, representatives participate in the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS). Lawmakers elected before January 1, 2019, had the option to choose between a traditional pension plan, a 401(k)-style plan, or a hybrid. The traditional pension plan provides a defined retirement income, with benefits calculated based on years of service and the highest three years of pay.

Recent legislative proposals, including House Bills 1415 and 1416, and Senate Bill 864, have sought to provide cost-of-living adjustments for state retirees. The benefits package for Commonwealth employees also encompasses programs such as the Dependent Care Account Program, charitable giving opportunities, and voluntary insurance options for life, long-term disability, home, and auto.

For 2025, the COLA is set at 3.4%, leading to the projected salary increase for lawmakers. While these adjustments are generally automatic, the General Assembly can suspend them, as occurred in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Raises resumed the following year, ensuring salaries are updated for economic changes without a separate vote each time.

Pennsylvania State Senate Salaries – Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, state senators serve a term of four years, as outlined in Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution. As of now, the annual salary for a Pennsylvania state senator is $102,844. In addition to this base salary, senators also receive a per diem allowance, which is intended to cover expenses incurred while performing their legislative duties. This per diem can vary based on the location and duration of their work-related activities. The compensation structure is designed to ensure that state senators are fairly compensated for their responsibilities, which include representing their constituents, participating in legislative sessions, and serving on various committees. Overall, the salary and allowances reflect the importance of their role in the state government and the need to attract qualified individuals to serve in these positions.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts. Elections are held in November of even numbered years. As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state representatives represented an average of 64,098 residents. 

The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There are 50 members, Senators are elected for four years. Senators’ terms are staggered with only half of the Senate contested at each election. As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state senators represented an average of 260,237 residents. 

Pennsylvania State Senate Salaries – Pennsylvania

Judith Schwank L Overview

Judith Schwank L in 2024 was employed at Pennsylvania State Senate and had an annual salary of $120,475, according to public records. This salary was 93 percent higher than the average and 105 percent higher than the median salary in Pennsylvania State Senate.

Pennsylvania State Senate records show Judith Schwank L held job of Senator from 2021 to 2024.

In year 2024 Judith Schwank’s salary was 10 percent higher than average Senator salary in the state of Pennsylvania.

According to the public records employee’s salary increased by $4,040 from 2023 to 2024, which is a 3.5 percent rise. Since 2021, the salary has increased by $16,973, a total rise of 16.4 percent.

Katie Muth J Overview

Katie Muth J in 2024 was employed at Pennsylvania State Senate and had an annual salary of $119,202, according to public records. This salary was 91 percent higher than the average and 103 percent higher than the median salary in Pennsylvania State Senate.

Pennsylvania State Senate records show Katie Muth J held job of Senator from 2021 to 2024.

In year 2024 Katie Muth’s salary was 8 percent higher than average Senator salary in the state of Pennsylvania.

According to the public records employee’s salary increased by $1,577 from 2023 to 2024, which is a 1.3 percent rise. Since 2021, the salary has increased by $16,745, a total rise of 16.3 percent.

David Argall G Overview

David Argall G in 2024 was employed at Pennsylvania State Senate and had an annual salary of $105,655, according to public records. This salary was 69 percent higher than the average and 80 percent higher than the median salary in Pennsylvania State Senate.

Pennsylvania State Senate records show David Argall G held job of Senator from 2021 to 2024.

In year 2024 David Argall’s salary was 4 percent lower than average Senator salary in the state of Pennsylvania.

According to the public records employee’s salary increased by $3,544 from 2023 to 2024, which is a 3.5 percent rise. Since 2021, the salary has increased by $14,757, a total rise of 16.2 percent.

Christopher Gebhard M Overview

Christopher Gebhard M in 2024 was employed at Pennsylvania State Senate and had an annual salary of $105,655, according to public records. This salary was 69 percent higher than the average and 80 percent higher than the median salary in Pennsylvania State Senate.

Pennsylvania State Senate records show Christopher Gebhard M held job of Senator from 2021 to 2024.

In year 2024 Christopher Gebhard’s salary was 4 percent lower than average Senator salary in the state of Pennsylvania.

According to the public records employee’s salary increased by $3,544 from 2023 to 2024, which is a 3.5 percent rise. Since 2021, the salary has increased by $54,546, a total rise of 106.7 percent.

Tracy Pennycuick E Overview

Tracy Pennycuick E in 2024 was employed at Pennsylvania State Senate and had an annual salary of $105,655, according to public records. This salary was 69 percent higher than the average and 80 percent higher than the median salary in Pennsylvania State Senate.

Pennsylvania State Senate records show Tracy Pennycuick E held job of Senator from 2022 to 2024.

In year 2024 Tracy Pennycuick’s salary was 4 percent lower than average Senator salary in the state of Pennsylvania.

Eric Weaknecht J Overview

Eric Weaknecht J in 2024 was employed at General Assembly and had an annual salary of $110,016, according to public records. This salary was 51 percent higher than the average and 76 percent higher than the median salary in General Assembly.

In year 2024 Eric Weaknecht’s salary was 80 percent higher than average Representative salary.

James Barton A Overview

James Barton A in 2024 was employed at Pennsylvania House of Representatives and had an annual salary of $105,655, according to public records. This salary was 113 percent higher than the average and 132 percent higher than the median salary in Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives records show James Barton A held job of Representative from 2022 to 2024.

In year 2024 James Barton’s salary was 4 percent lower than average Representative salary in the state of Pennsylvania.

Manuel Guzman M Overview

Manuel Guzman M in 2024 was employed at General Assembly and had an annual salary of $110,016, according to public records. This salary was 51 percent higher than the average and 76 percent higher than the median salary in General Assembly.

General Assembly records show Manuel Guzman M held job of Representative from 2020 to 2024.

In year 2024 Manuel Guzman’s salary was 80 percent higher than average Representative salary.

According to the public records employee’s salary increased by $3,594 from 2023 to 2024, which is a 3.4 percent rise. Since 2020, the salary has increased by $19,681, a total rise of 21.8 percent.

Jacklyn Rusnock H Overview

Jacklyn Rusnock H in 2024 was employed at General Assembly and had an annual salary of $110,016, according to public records. This salary was 51 percent higher than the average and 76 percent higher than the median salary in General Assembly.

In year 2024 Jacklyn Rusnock’s salary was 80 percent higher than average Representative salary.

Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz Overview

Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz in 2024 was employed at General Assembly and had an annual salary of $110,016, according to public records. This salary was 51 percent higher than the average and 76 percent higher than the median salary in General Assembly.

General Assembly records show Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz held job of Representative from 2022 to 2024.

In year 2024 Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz’s salary was 80 percent higher than average Representative salary.

According to the public records employee’s salary increased by $3,594 from 2023 to 2024, which is a 3.4 percent rise. Since 2022, the salary has increased by $7,172, a total rise of 7.0 percent.

• California – $132,703/year

$132,703  x 80 = $10,616,240

$132,703 x 40 = 5,308,120

10,616,240 + $5,308,120 = $15,924,360

The California State Legislature is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of California, consisting of the California State Assembly (lower house with 80 members) and the California State Senate (upper house with 40 members)

The Assembly consists of 60 Democrats and 20 Republicans, while the Senate is composed of 30 Democrats and 10 Republicans.

Term limits were initially established in 1990 following the passage of Proposition 140. In June 2012, voters approved Proposition 28,which limits legislators to a maximum of 12 years, without regard to whether they serve those years in the State Assembly or the State Senate. Legislators first elected on or before June 5, 2012, are restricted by the previous term limits, approved in 1990, which limited legislators to three terms in the State Assembly and two terms in the State Senate.

• New York – $142,000/year

142,000 x 150 = $21,300,000

142,000 x 63 = $8,946,000

$21,300,000 + $9,946,000 = $31,246,000

The New York State Legislature consists of the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of New York: the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly.

The Assembly consists of 150 members; they are each chosen from a single-member district. The New York Constitution allows the number of Senate seats to vary; as of 2014, the Senate had 63 seats