Colorado legislators make base annual salary of up to $40,242
Colorado Capitol Building Denver © iStock - kuosumo
State lawmakers in Colorado now draw a base annual salary of up to $40,242, in addition to mileage or travel outlays of 52 cents per mile, according to a recent study by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Colorado legislators receive per-diem payments consisting of $45 to $171 per day, depending on the distance they travel to the capitol during sessions .
Lawmakers’ salaries can be set by statute, legislatures or compensation commissions, according to the NCSL, which collects information yearly on state lawmaker pay and per diems in the 50 states.
In addition to this compensation, legislators may also receive insurance and retirement benefits, as well as office and staffing allowances.
Legislator Salaries by State in 2019
State | Base Salary | Mileage in Cents per Mile | Session Per Diem Rate |
Alabama | $48,123 | 58/mile | Up to $100/day depending on length of trip. |
Alaska | $50,400 | 58/mile | $322/day |
Arizona | $24,000 | 58/mile | $35/day for the first 120 days of the regular session and for special sessions and $10/day thereafter. Members living outside Maricopa County get additional compensation. |
Arkansas | $41,394 | 58/mile | Current per diem rate for legislators who live more than 50 miles from the capitol in Little Rock is $149. Members who live within 50 miles of the Capitol are eligible to receive a reduced per diem (meals and incidentals, no lodging) of $55. |
California | $110,459 | 53/mile | $201/day for each day in session. |
Colorado | $40,242 for members whose terms began in January 2019; $30,000 for others. | 52/mile | Up to $171 for members who live more than 50 miles from the capitol; $45/day for members who live 50 or fewer miles from the capitol. |
Connecticut | $28,000 | 58/mile | No per diem is paid. |
Delaware | $46,291 | 40/mile | No per diem is paid. |
Florida | $29,697 | 44.5/mile | $163/day based on the number of days in Tallahassee (V). |
Georgia | $17,342 | 58/mile | $173/day (U). Set by the Legislative Services Committee. |
Hawaii | $62,604 | Varies depending on distances and circumstances. | $225/day for members who don't live on Oahu. |
Idaho | $17,879 | 58/mile; one round trip per week. | $139/day for members whose primary residence is over 50 miles from the statehouse; $55/day for members whose primary residence is less than 50 miles from the statehouse. (U) |
Illinois | $65,836 | 39/mile | $111/session day. |
Indiana | $26,490 | 58/mile | $181/day (U). |
Iowa | $25,000 | 39/mile | $169/day; $126.75/day for Polk County lawmakers. |
Kansas | $88.66/day (C) | 58/mile | $149/day. |
Kentucky | $188.22/day (C) | 58/mile | $163.90/day. |
Louisiana | $16,800 Senate; $22,800 House | 58/mile | $161/day. |
Maine | $10,131 | 44/mile | $38/day lodging (or mileage and tolls up to $38/day in lieu of housing). $32/day for meals. Set by statute. |
Maryland | $50,330 | 58/mile | $47/day, meals. $106/day, lodging. |
Massachusetts | $66,257 | Members receive stipends based on distance. | No per diem is paid. |
Michigan | $71,685 | 58/mile | $10,800/year expense allowance for session and interim (V). Set by the compensation commission. |
Minnesota | $45,000 | 58/mile | $86/d for senators; $66/d for representatives. |
Mississippi | $23,500 | 58/mile | $149/day. |
Missouri | $35,915 | 37.5/mile | $119/day. |
Montana | $92.46/day (L) | 58/mile | $120.11/day. |
Nebraska | $12,000 | 58/mile | $149/day for members residing 50 miles or more from the capitol; $55/day for members residing inside the 50-mile radius. |
Nevada | $150.71/day for legislators elected in 2016, $146.29/day for midterm legislators | Travel allowances vary | $149/day. |
New Hampshire | $200/2-year term. | Varies depending on distances. | No per diem is paid. |
New Jersey | $49,000 | None | No per diem is paid. |
New Mexico | None | 58/mile | $161/day or $184/day depending on month. |
New York | $110,000 | 58/mile | $174/day (including overnight) or $61/day (no overnight). |
North Carolina | $13,951 | 29/mile | $104/day (U). Set by statute. |
North Dakota | $495/month | 54/mile; one round trip per week. | $177/day. |
Ohio | $63,007 | 52/mile | No per diem is paid. |
Oklahoma | $35,021 | 58/mile | $156/day. |
Oregon | $31,200 | 58/mile | $149/day. |
Pennsylvania | $88,610 | 58/mile | $177/day. |
Rhode Island | $15,959 | 54.5/mile | No per diem is paid. |
South Carolina | $10,400 | 58/mile | $170/day. |
South Dakota | $11,379 | up to 42/mile | $149/day (L) (U). |
Tennessee | $24,316 | 47/mile | $240/day for members residing more than 50 miles from capitol. |
Texas | $7,200 | 58/mile | $221/day. Set by ethics commission. |
Utah | $285/day (C) | 54/mile | Up to $100 plus tax/day for members who live more than 100 miles round trip from capitol. |
Vermont | 733.04/week during session. | 58/mile | $126/day lodging (including overnight) or $69/day (no overnight). |
Virginia | $18,000/year Senate; $17,640/year House. | 58/mile | $213/day. |
Washington | $52,766/ year as of July 1, 2019. | 58/mile | $120/day. |
West Virginia | $20,000 | 48.5/mile | $131/day (U). Set by compensation commission. |
Wisconsin | $52,999 | 51/mile | Senate: up to $115/day; Assembly: up to $162/day. The maximum number of days per year that per diem |
Wyoming | $150/day | 58/mile | $109/day (V). Set by legislature. |
Abbreviations: C – Calendar day; L – Legislative day; (U) – Unvouchered; (V) – Vouchered
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
