WASHINGTON — Governors hold the most glamorous title in state government, but they don’t always get the fattest paycheck. State executives overseeing solid waste management, education or public utility regulation have higher salaries than their governors in some cases, according to a survey by the Council of State Governments.
Only the chief executives of Nevada, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington are the highest paid administrators in their states, the survey found. Governors’ pay ranges from $70,000 in Maine to $187,256 in Pennsylvania, but top state administrators’ salaries soar from a range of $117,104 to $525,000.
CSG focuses on only a discrete category of the state workforce — the top administrator in 49 categories — for its Book of the States, a popular reference on state governments. The review does not include every state administrator and may not capture the highest administrative salary in each state. It also does not include very highly paid state employees in fields such as athletic coaching and health care.
“While governors’ salaries are one key item shared in The Book of the States, the other 49 administrative officials’ salaries tracked over time provide an even more complete picture of state government changes and priorities through the years,” said Audrey Wall, the book’s managing editor.