How Much Money Does a Deputy Mayor Make in a Small Township?

A deputy mayor is often the second-highest elected official in local government.

If a township utilizes a council/mayor form of local government, the mayor is the chief executive of the government, with legislative power vested in a town council. In a council/manager form of government, the mayor may be a member of the town council, with mayoral duties largely being limited to ceremonial functions. The deputy mayor, also known as the vice mayor or assistant mayor in some areas, is second to the mayor and may become the acting mayor, or mayor, in the event the mayor is unable to fulfill the duties of office.

Examples

The salary of a deputy mayor varies on a variety of factors, including the location and population of the town, the specific responsibilities and the size of the local government. In Yakima, Washington, the salary of the assistant mayor is $800.37 per month, according to the Yakima city code. The vice mayors of the towns of Springerville and Goodyear, Arizona, earn $300 and $1041.67 per month, respectively, according to the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association. In the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma, the vice mayor, mayor and city council receive no compensation, according to the City's website.

Larger Cities

In comparison, deputy mayors in larger cities often earn higher wages than those in small towns. The deputy mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, earned $120,000 as of February 2011, according to the "News-Sentinel." In Seattle, the deputy mayor earns $124,988, according to "Publicola." New York City's first deputy mayor earns a salary of $246,000, according to the "New York Times."

Mayors

The median annual salary of the chief elected official at the local government level was $44,928 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some specific examples nationwide include $114,030 for the mayor of Maui County, according to "The Maui News." The mayor of Sandpoint, Idaho, earns $12,000 per year, according to the "Bonner County Daily Bee." The mayor of Phoenix, Arizona has an annual salary of $88,000, according to the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association.

Other Compensation

Government officials often qualify for additional forms of compensation beyond their salaries, including paid time off, medical and dental benefits, expense reimbursement and participation in retirement contribution plans. In some small towns, the only additional compensation a deputy mayor may receive is the satisfaction that he is serving the people of his community.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: State and Local Government, Except Education and Health
• "The News Sentinel"; Hughes Wants to Cut Mayor's Salary; Bob Caylor; February 2011
• City of Yakima: Salary of Mayor, Assistant Mayor, and Councilmembers--Fringe Benefits
• "Publicola"; McGinn Staff Received Salary Increases While Mayor Froze Salaries in Other Departments; Erica C. Barnett; April 2010
• Arizona Municipal Clerks Association: Council Salary Survey
• "Bonner County Daily Bee"; City Mulls Raising Mayor’s Salary; Cameron Rasmusson; April 2011
• "The Maui News"; Salary Panel Holds off on Pay Hike for Mayor; Ilima Loomis; November 2010
• City of Muskogee, Oklahoma: City Council
• "New York Times"; Top Bloomberg Aide Will Lead His Charity Board; Michael Barbaro and David W. Chen; March 2010