The Average Salary of Governors
State governor salaries have a wide range, from $70,000 to $206,500 in 2009. Some interesting features can be found in regard to salaries of governors when looking at individual states.
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Highest Pay
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California technically provided the highest state governor salary in 2009 at $206,500. However, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't accept a paycheck.
Next in Line
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The Stateline website took an in-depth look at governor salaries in 2007. High-paying states besides California were New York at $179,000; Michigan at $177,000; and New Jersey and Virginia each at $175,000. Multimillionaire New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, however, only accepts a $1 yearly salary.
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Lowest Pay
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Maine Gov. John Baldacci took a $95,000 pay cut when he left the House of Representatives to become governor in 2003. Maine provides the lowest pay for the state governor position at $70,000. Their governor, in fact, is paid less than more than 400 other state employees, including the governor's assistant, who makes about $100,000 annually.
Similar Situations
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The situation is similar in some other states, such as Idaho, where the salary in 2009 of 310 state employees was higher than Gov. Butch Otter's at $108,727. Otter turned down his scheduled raise in 2009.
Other Low-Paying States
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A step up from Maine, Arkansas paid its governor $80,848 in 2007. Their governor, Mike Beebe, also turned down his 2009 raise. Tennessee is the third-lowest on the list at $85,000, but again, their governor, Phil Bredesen, does not accept a paycheck. Bredesen is the founder of the insurance company HealthAmerica.
Average Governor's Salary
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The average governor's salary in 2007 was $124,398. Closest to average were Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour at $122,160 and then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at $125,000.
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