How Much Are We Paying Them?

State Elected Officials’ Compensation
Salaries for the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, judges, and
legislators are established by state law and by the legislature, depending on the position.

Salaries for constitutional officers:
As required by the Minnesota Constitution, salaries for constitutional officers are
prescribed by law. Art. V, § 4. Current annual salaries are as follows:
Officer Salary % of Governor’s Salary
Governor:   $120,303 ---
Attorney General:   $114,288, 95% of governors salary.
State Auditor:  $102,258         85% of governors salary.
Secretary of State:   $90,227   75%  of governors salary.
Lieutenant Governor: $78,197  65%  of governors salary.

The most recent salary increases were in January 2003, when a law took effect
establishing salaries for constitutional officers as a percentage of the governor’s
salary. Laws 2001, 1st spec. sess., ch. 10, art. 1, § 2. The most recent salary
increase for the governor was 2.5 percent in January 1998.
The governor can veto legislation establishing compensation for constitutional positions.

Salaries of Legislators:
The Minnesota Constitution provides that legislators’ compensation is set by law.
The annual salary for representatives and senators is $31,140. The House and the
Senate each can designate three leadership positions to receive up to 140 percent of
the compensation of other members of the legislature (this is an additional $12,456
per year).

The most recent salary increase for legislators was 5 percent in January 1999. The
constitution also says that “no increase of compensation shall take effect during the
period for which the members of the existing House of Representatives may have
been elected.” Art. IV, § 9. Because the constitution says that legislators’ salaries
are set “by law,” the governor can veto legislation setting legislators’
compensation.

Legislative per diem In addition to salary, legislators are eligible to receive a per diem payment when
engaged in official business. The House rate is $77 per day and the Senate rate
$96 per day.