New York lawmakers are reportedly considering a salary increase, following a recent decision by the New York City Council to raise their own pay. The city council approved an 18.2% raise, increasing their salaries from approximately $148,500 to $175,500. This adjustment, the first since 2016, was approved by a 42-6 vote by an independent commission.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin, both millionaires, have announced they will not accept the additional pay. Mamdani stated that residents' primary concerns are not with the mayor's salary. Menin's spokesperson confirmed she abstained from the vote and will decline any personal increase.
Sources indicate that members of the State Assembly are now also seeking a pay raise, having last seen an increase in December 2022. State Assembly members currently earn $142,000 annually. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has expressed support for legislators receiving better pay, citing the sacrifices they make, including extended periods away from family.
Heastie has not confirmed if the State Assembly will formally pursue a raise, but he indicated to Politico that he does not oppose it. He noted that discussions about pay increases often arise when the New York City Council receives a raise.
A bill introduced in March by Senator James Sanders Jr. proposed a 26% raise for assembly members, which would bring their salaries to $180,000 starting in January 2028, along with annual cost-of-living adjustments. The legislation cited the extensive responsibilities of state legislators, including overseeing a large state budget and providing year-round constituent services. This bill is currently in a State Senate committee.
In comparison, the average household income in New York State is approximately $86,000, while in New York City, the average is around $80,500. Military service members, particularly those deployed overseas for extended periods, earn significantly less in base salary than state lawmakers. For example, an enlisted Army soldier's base salary ranges from $25,300 to $53,300, with total compensation for a first-year enlisted soldier averaging $67,300. Navy sailors in comparable enlisted ranks have base salaries between $27,800 and $49,600, with total compensation reaching $93,300 to $124,000 when benefits are included.
Despite the recent raise, New York City council members are not the highest-paid in the nation; members of the Los Angeles City Council reportedly earn $207,000 annually. New York assembly members are permitted to earn up to 25% of their income from outside sources, a privilege not extended to city council members.
While Speaker Heastie has stated he does not foresee a special session in December to address a pay raise, conversations regarding potential increases for state legislators are expected to continue. Some assembly members suggest that any decision would likely not be finalized until November.