Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, FY2001-FY2015

November 9, 2016 (R44324)
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Contents

Tables

Summary

The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in Member offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems.

This report provides pay data for 16 staff position titles that are typically used in Senators' offices. The positions include the following: Administrative Director, Casework Supervisor, Caseworker, Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Counsel, Executive Assistant, Field Representative, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Director, Press Secretary, Scheduler, "Specials Director" (a combined category that includes the job titles Director of Projects, Director of Special Projects, Director of Federal Projects, Director of Grants, Projects Director, or Grants Director), Staff Assistant, and State Director.

Tables provide tabular pay data for each of the selected staff positions in a Senator's office. Graphic displays are also included, providing representations of pay from three perspectives, including the following:

In the past five years (FY2011 and FY2015), the change in median pay, in constant 2016 dollars, ranged from a 9.86% increase for press secretaries to a -26.05% decrease for specials directors. Eight of the 16 positions experienced increases in pay, while the remaining eight positions saw declines in pay. This may be compared to changes to the pay of Members of Congress, -5.10%, and General Schedule, DC, -3.19%, over approximately the same period (calendar years 2011-2015).

Pay data for staff working in House Member offices are available in CRS Report R44323, Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2001-2014. Data describing the pay of congressional staff working in House and Senate committee offices are available in CRS Report R44322, Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Committees, 2001-2014, and CRS Report R44325, Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senate Committees, FY2001-FY2014, respectively.

Information about the duration of staff employment is available in CRS Report R44683, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in House Committees, 2006-2016, CRS Report R44685, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in Senate Committees, 2006-2016, CRS Report R44682, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2006-2016, and CRS Report R44684, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, 2006-2016.


Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, FY2001-FY2015

Introduction

Levels of pay for congressional staff are a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. Senators set the terms and conditions of employment for staff in their offices. This includes job titles and descriptions, rates of pay, subject to minimum and maximum levels,1 and resources available to them to carry out their official duties.2 There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations, guidance in setting pay levels for staff in Member offices, or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems.

Publicly available information sources do not provide aggregated congressional staff pay data in a readily retrievable form. The most recent publicly available Senate staff compensation report was issued in 2006,3 and relied on anonymous, self-reported survey data. Data in this report are based on official Senate reports, which afford the opportunity to use consistently collected data from a consistent source. Pay4 information in this report is based on the Senate's Report of the Secretary of the Senate, published semiannually, in periods from April 1 to September 30, and October 1 to March 31,5 as collated by LegiStorm, a private entity that provides some congressional data by subscription.6 Additionally, this report provides annual data, which allows for observations about the nature of Senators' personal staff compensation over time.

This report provides pay data for 16 staff position titles that are typically used in Senators' offices.7 The positions include the following:

Senators' staff pay data for FY2001-FY2015 were derived from a random sampling of Senators' offices in which at least one staff member worked in a position in each year. For each fiscal year, FY2001-FY2015, a random sample13 of 25 Senators' offices was taken for each position. In order to be included, Senate staff had to hold a position with the same job title in the Senator's office for the entire fiscal year examined, and not receive pay from any other congressional employing authority. For some positions, it was not possible to identify 25 offices that employed staff for an entire year. In circumstances when data for 14 or fewer staff were identified for a position, this report provides no data. Every recorded payment ascribed in the LegiStorm data to those staff for the fiscal year is included.14 Data collected for this report may differ from an employee's stated annual salary due to the inclusion of overtime, bonuses, or other payments15 in addition to base salary paid in the course of a year. Generally, each position has no more than one observation per Senator's office each fiscal year.

Pay data for staff working in House Member offices are available in CRS Report R44323, Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2001-2014. Data describing the pay of congressional staff working in House and Senate committee offices are available in CRS Report R44322, Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Committees, 2001-2014, and CRS Report R44325, Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senate Committees, FY2001-FY2014, respectively.16

Data Concerns

There may be some advantages to relying on official salary expenditure data instead of survey findings, but data presented here are subject to some challenges that could affect findings or their interpretation. Some of the concerns include the following:

Data Tables and Visualizations

Tables in this section provide background information on Senate pay practices, comparative data for each position, and detailed data and visualizations for each position. Table 1 provides the maximum payable rates for staff in Senators' offices since 2001 in both nominal (current) and constant 2016 dollars.

Constant dollar calculations throughout the report are based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for various years, expressed in constant, 2016 dollars.19

Table 2 provides available cumulative percentage changes in pay in constant 2016 dollars for each of the 16 positions, Members of Congress,20 and salaries paid under the General Schedule in Washington, DC, and surrounding areas.21 Table 3-Table 18 provide tabular pay data for Senators' staff positions. The numbers of staff whose data were counted are identified as observations in the data tables. Graphic displays are also included, providing representations of pay from three perspectives, including the following:

Between FY2011 and FY2015, the change in median23 pay, in constant 2016 dollars, ranged from a 9.86% increase for press secretaries to a -26.05% decrease for specials directors. Of the 16 positions, half saw pay increases, while the other half saw pay decreases during the five-year period. This may be compared to changes in the pay of Members of Congress, -5.1%, and General Schedule, DC, -3.19%, over approximately the same period (calendar years 2011-2015).

Between FY2006 and FY2015, the change in median pay, in constant 2016 dollars, ranged from a 15.69% increase for field representatives to a -18.96% decrease for executive assistants. Of the 16 staff positions, 4 saw pay increases while 12 saw declines. This may be compared to changes in the pay of Members of Congress, -10.41%, and General Schedule, DC, -0.13%, over approximately the same period (calendar years 2006-2015).

Between FY2001 and FY2015, the change in median pay, in constant 2016 dollars, ranged from a 27.09% increase for state directors to a -19.64% decrease for press secretaries. Of 15 staff positions for which data were available between FY2001 and FY2015,24 7 positions saw pay increases while 8 saw declines. This may be compared to changes in the pay of Members of Congress, -10.4%, and General Schedule, DC, 7.36%, over approximately the same period (calendar years 2001-2015).

Table 1. Annual Maximum Pay for Selected Staff In Senators' Offices, 2001-2015

Year

Nominal $

Constant 2016 $

2001

$140,559

$189,514

2002

$145,459

$193,068

2003

$150,159

$194,866

2004

$153,559

$194,109

2005

$157,559

$192,638

2006

$160,659

$190,290

2007

$160,659

$185,020

2008

$164,759

$182,726

2009

$169,459

$188,610

2010

$169,459

$185,566

2011

$169,459

$179,888

2012

$169,459

$176,240

2013

$169,459

$173,696

2014

$169,459

$170,924

2015

$169,459

$170,721

Source: 2 U.S.C. 4575, note, CRS calculations. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 2. Change in Pay for Selected Staff In Senators' Offices, Selected Periods

 

Change
(Based on Constant, 2016 Dollars)

 

5 Years

FY11-15

10 Years

FY06-15

15 Years

FY01-15

Administrative Director

-7.37%

2.31%

Casework Supervisor

1.75%

-4.24%

14.62%

Caseworker

4.72%

-9.20%

3.32%

Chief of Staff

-5.10%

-8.48%

-5.95%

Communications Director

5.83%

1.85%

8.74%

Counsel

-0.44%

-7.12%

-8.39%

Executive Assistant

-7.92%

-18.96%

-7.70%

Field Representative

3.91%

15.69%

7.87%

Legislative Assistant

-8.78%

-5.06%

-6.42%

Legislative Correspondent

-0.82%

-3.19%

-1.22%

Legislative Director

0.01%

-0.44%

5.55%

Press Secretary

9.86%

-4.65%

-19.64%

Scheduler

-7.44%

-7.22%

3.76%

Specials Director

-26.05%

-11.17%

-17.14%

Staff Assistant

0.09%

-12.47%

-4.62%

State Director

3.89%

13.53%

27.09%

Members of Congress

-5.10%

-10.41%

-10.40%

General Schedule, DC

-3.19%

-0.13%

7.36%

Source: CRS calculations, based on pay data provided in Table 3-Table 18 for congressional positions in constant, 2016 dollars, CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables, by [author name scrubbed], for Members of Congress, and the Office of Personnel Management for federal civilian workers in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas, various years. No data were available for administrative directors for FY2001. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 3. Administrative Director

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY04

18

 

$33,750

$83,942

$83,080

$142,968

 

$42,662

$106,109

$105,019

$180,721

FY05

15

 

$33,200

$87,806

$85,875

$150,223

 

$40,592

$107,355

$104,994

$183,669

FY06

22

 

$38,597

$84,438

$86,821

$124,264

 

$45,715

$100,011

$102,834

$147,183

FY07

19

 

$65,453

$95,393

$95,271

$126,242

 

$75,377

$109,858

$109,717

$145,384

FY08

25

 

$71,706

$100,159

$98,179

$140,250

 

$79,525

$111,082

$108,886

$155,544

FY09

25

 

$46,459

$96,479

$95,164

$140,250

 

$51,709

$107,382

$105,918

$156,100

FY10

25

 

$64,772

$102,624

$105,167

$150,811

 

$70,928

$112,378

$115,163

$165,145

FY11

25

 

$54,375

$104,195

$107,000

$153,506

 

$57,721

$110,607

$113,585

$162,953

FY12

25

 

$58,000

$104,323

$107,000

$135,521

 

$60,321

$108,498

$111,282

$140,944

FY13

25

 

$42,667

$102,752

$103,200

$169,000

 

$43,733

$105,321

$105,780

$173,226

FY14

25

 

$50,937

$103,458

$107,265

$139,080

 

$51,378

$104,352

$108,192

$140,282

FY15

25

 

$56,375

$106,212

$104,433

$150,522

 

$56,795

$107,003

$105,211

$151,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-7.37%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

2.31%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 4. Casework Supervisor

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$23,928

$50,594

$51,828

$83,000

 

$32,262

$68,215

$69,878

$111,908

FY02

25

 

$28,334

$57,812

$55,667

$87,625

 

$37,608

$76,734

$73,886

$116,305

FY03

24

 

$27,620

$58,399

$60,956

$82,750

 

$35,844

$75,786

$79,104

$107,387

FY04

25

 

$27,500

$60,683

$62,549

$88,679

 

$34,762

$76,708

$79,066

$112,096

FY05

25

 

$33,933

$65,254

$65,250

$137,450

 

$41,488

$79,782

$79,777

$168,052

FY06

25

 

$33,933

$67,610

$70,611

$102,768

 

$40,191

$80,079

$83,634

$121,722

FY07

25

 

$33,741

$69,613

$70,599

$103,461

 

$38,857

$80,169

$81,305

$119,149

FY08

25

 

$50,708

$73,334

$71,789

$109,333

 

$56,238

$81,331

$79,617

$121,256

FY09

25

 

$55,750

$79,269

$79,000

$109,356

 

$62,050

$88,227

$87,928

$121,715

FY10

25

 

$40,773

$80,992

$81,416

$120,697

 

$44,648

$88,690

$89,154

$132,169

FY11

25

 

$40,773

$76,233

$74,154

$122,000

 

$43,282

$80,924

$78,718

$129,508

FY12

25

 

$40,000

$74,940

$76,000

$127,000

 

$41,601

$77,939

$79,041

$132,082

FY13

25

 

$34,187

$68,184

$72,000

$95,583

 

$35,041

$69,889

$73,800

$97,973

FY14

25

 

$35,500

$74,974

$75,719

$113,875

 

$35,807

$75,622

$76,374

$114,859

FY15

25

 

$37,829

$79,051

$79,500

$118,500

 

$38,111

$79,640

$80,092

$119,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

1.75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-4.24%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

14.62%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. In the visualizations, position pay information is based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on median change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 5. Caseworker

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$23,802

$34,979

$33,197

$50,200

 

$32,092

$47,162

$44,760

$67,684

FY02

25

 

$23,414

$34,963

$33,500

$59,968

 

$31,077

$46,407

$44,465

$79,596

FY03

25

 

$25,985

$37,602

$35,135

$58,964

 

$33,722

$48,797

$45,596

$76,519

FY04

25

 

$25,896

$39,605

$38,822

$63,100

 

$32,734

$50,063

$49,074

$79,763

FY05

25

 

$25,251

$39,871

$38,777

$57,500

 

$30,872

$48,748

$47,411

$70,302

FY06

25

 

$29,956

$44,725

$43,000

$74,313

 

$35,481

$52,974

$50,930

$88,019

FY07

25

 

$26,833

$43,262

$41,503

$65,603

 

$30,902

$49,823

$47,796

$75,551

FY08

25

 

$26,601

$46,851

$44,685

$72,337

 

$29,501

$51,960

$49,558

$80,225

FY09

25

 

$19,583

$44,897

$42,629

$76,847

 

$21,796

$49,971

$47,446

$85,532

FY10

25

 

$23,500

$47,926

$41,745

$90,800

 

$25,734

$52,481

$45,712

$99,430

FY11

25

 

$28,237

$44,809

$41,603

$87,450

 

$29,975

$47,567

$44,163

$92,832

FY12

25

 

$30,000

$44,187

$43,365

$87,465

 

$31,200

$45,956

$45,100

$90,965

FY13

25

 

$30,000

$46,201

$44,125

$85,000

 

$30,750

$47,357

$45,228

$87,125

FY14

25

 

$32,500

$48,662

$44,633

$89,179

 

$32,781

$49,083

$45,019

$89,949

FY15

25

 

$21,167

$47,047

$45,904

$83,084

 

$21,324

$47,397

$46,246

$83,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

4.72%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-9.20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

3.32%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 6. Chief of Staff

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$103,657

$130,841

$134,630

$139,609

 

$139,759

$176,411

$181,520

$188,233

FY02

25

 

$109,875

$133,309

$136,241

$144,234

 

$145,837

$176,941

$180,833

$191,442

FY03

25

 

$124,000

$140,044

$144,234

$148,984

 

$160,918

$181,739

$187,176

$193,341

FY04

25

 

$100,000

$145,165

$151,576

$152,709

 

$126,407

$183,497

$191,601

$193,034

FY05

25

 

$107,100

$148,145

$153,559

$156,742

 

$130,945

$181,128

$187,748

$191,640

FY06

25

 

$130,600

$152,445

$157,486

$160,659

 

$154,687

$180,562

$186,532

$190,290

FY07

25

 

$138,871

$156,287

$160,659

$160,659

 

$159,928

$179,985

$185,020

$185,020

FY08

25

 

$145,833

$158,701

$159,863

$163,734

 

$161,737

$176,007

$177,296

$181,589

FY09

25

 

$147,960

$164,532

$166,926

$167,305

 

$164,681

$183,126

$185,791

$186,212

FY10

25

 

$156,930

$166,654

$169,428

$169,459

 

$171,846

$182,494

$185,532

$185,566

FY11

25

 

$138,500

$166,692

$169,459

$169,459

 

$147,023

$176,951

$179,888

$179,888

FY12

25

 

$140,417

$166,399

$169,459

$169,459

 

$146,036

$173,058

$176,240

$176,240

FY13

25

 

$128,844

$161,550

$166,500

$169,459

 

$132,065

$165,589

$170,663

$173,696

FY14

25

 

$141,050

$164,932

$169,042

$169,459

 

$142,269

$166,357

$170,503

$170,924

FY15

25

 

$102,800

$162,671

$169,459

$169,459

 

$103,565

$163,882

$170,721

$170,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-5.10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-8.48%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-5.95%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 7. Communications Director

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$42,189

$83,784

$83,186

$128,974

 

$56,883

$112,964

$112,159

$173,895

FY02

25

 

$48,999

$88,399

$89,500

$134,826

 

$65,036

$117,332

$118,794

$178,955

FY03

25

 

$45,451

$89,453

$84,860

$140,191

 

$58,984

$116,086

$110,125

$181,930

FY04

25

 

$56,908

$92,741

$85,733

$142,726

 

$71,935

$117,230

$108,373

$180,414

FY05

25

 

$58,083

$94,798

$92,875

$147,206

 

$71,015

$115,905

$113,553

$179,980

FY06

25

 

$74,431

$103,309

$101,108

$152,000

 

$88,159

$122,363

$119,755

$180,034

FY07

25

 

$53,068

$98,056

$95,917

$150,942

 

$61,115

$112,925

$110,461

$173,829

FY08

25

 

$72,500

$102,827

$97,798

$146,878

 

$80,406

$114,040

$108,463

$162,895

FY09

25

 

$75,400

$111,197

$109,296

$156,687

 

$83,921

$123,764

$121,647

$174,394

FY10

25

 

$90,875

$115,873

$116,996

$167,500

 

$99,513

$126,886

$128,116

$183,421

FY11

25

 

$90,000

$113,114

$108,562

$168,547

 

$95,539

$120,075

$115,243

$178,920

FY12

25

 

$91,855

$115,597

$117,500

$147,184

 

$95,531

$120,223

$122,202

$153,074

FY13

25

 

$80,333

$116,213

$115,575

$164,568

 

$82,342

$119,119

$118,465

$168,683

FY14

25

 

$80,000

$112,337

$108,288

$157,137

 

$80,691

$113,308

$109,223

$158,495

FY15

25

 

$95,675

$122,710

$121,065

$169,459

 

$96,387

$123,624

$121,967

$170,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

5.83%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

1.85%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

8.74%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 8. Counsel

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

15

 

$25,000

$67,125

$69,875

$93,833

 

$33,707

$90,504

$94,212

$126,514

FY02

25

 

$32,886

$67,720

$67,536

$144,234

 

$43,649

$89,885

$89,641

$191,442

FY03

21

 

$25,000

$81,319

$82,900

$148,984

 

$32,443

$105,530

$107,582

$193,341

FY04

25

 

$45,000

$84,890

$81,127

$152,526

 

$56,883

$107,306

$102,550

$192,802

FY05

23

 

$45,000

$81,559

$76,386

$134,375

 

$55,019

$99,717

$93,392

$164,292

FY06

25

 

$42,458

$86,828

$78,454

$144,792

 

$50,289

$102,842

$92,924

$171,497

FY07

21

 

$45,000

$92,050

$88,167

$145,000

 

$51,824

$106,007

$101,536

$166,987

FY08

25

 

$45,000

$92,195

$91,167

$128,570

 

$49,907

$102,249

$101,108

$142,591

FY09

23

 

$45,000

$88,826

$89,000

$129,788

 

$50,085

$98,864

$99,058

$144,455

FY10

25

 

$45,000

$86,043

$85,250

$141,500

 

$49,277

$94,221

$93,353

$154,949

FY11

21

 

$45,000

$81,035

$81,663

$138,000

 

$47,769

$86,022

$86,689

$146,493

FY12

25

 

$49,750

$87,312

$80,868

$151,275

 

$51,741

$90,806

$84,104

$157,329

FY13

21

 

$55,250

$83,353

$83,200

$109,000

 

$56,631

$85,437

$85,280

$111,726

FY14

25

 

$53,250

$90,638

$85,100

$153,120

 

$53,710

$91,421

$85,835

$154,444

FY15

25

 

$58,000

$93,777

$85,669

$154,659

 

$58,432

$94,475

$86,307

$155,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-0.44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-7.12%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-8.39%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 9. Executive Assistant

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$36,000

$65,378

$60,480

$124,583

 

$48,538

$88,149

$81,544

$167,974

FY02

25

 

$32,880

$62,934

$57,608

$139,492

 

$43,642

$83,532

$76,464

$185,148

FY03

25

 

$29,926

$70,414

$66,040

$148,984

 

$38,836

$91,378

$85,702

$193,341

FY04

25

 

$32,262

$76,616

$75,250

$152,709

 

$40,781

$96,847

$95,121

$193,034

FY05

25

 

$34,000

$72,919

$75,750

$107,705

 

$41,570

$89,154

$92,615

$131,685

FY06

25

 

$36,375

$73,189

$78,417

$120,500

 

$43,084

$86,687

$92,879

$142,724

FY07

25

 

$37,176

$83,038

$81,880

$160,659

 

$42,813

$95,630

$94,296

$185,020

FY08

25

 

$40,928

$87,763

$85,833

$163,563

 

$45,391

$97,334

$95,193

$181,400

FY09

25

 

$42,272

$91,183

$86,817

$167,305

 

$47,049

$101,488

$96,628

$186,212

FY10

25

 

$33,458

$90,428

$88,531

$169,459

 

$36,638

$99,023

$96,946

$185,566

FY11

25

 

$37,500

$84,788

$77,000

$169,459

 

$39,808

$90,006

$81,739

$179,888

FY12

25

 

$37,500

$87,805

$86,000

$169,459

 

$39,001

$91,319

$89,441

$176,240

FY13

22

 

$37,667

$85,565

$81,372

$169,459

 

$38,608

$87,705

$83,407

$173,696

FY14

23

 

$32,750

$85,535

$79,110

$169,459

 

$33,033

$86,274

$79,794

$170,924

FY15

21

 

$42,983

$85,603

$74,710

$169,459

 

$43,303

$86,240

$75,266

$170,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-7.92%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-18.96%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-7.70%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 10. Field Representative

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$20,519

$42,290

$41,337

$70,466

 

$27,666

$57,019

$55,734

$95,009

FY02

25

 

$22,746

$38,968

$38,625

$56,250

 

$30,191

$51,722

$51,267

$74,661

FY03

25

 

$23,898

$43,528

$45,292

$73,897

 

$31,013

$56,487

$58,777

$95,898

FY04

25

 

$21,518

$46,831

$49,562

$87,500

 

$27,200

$59,198

$62,650

$110,606

FY05

25

 

$26,228

$44,154

$43,500

$68,608

 

$32,067

$53,984

$53,185

$83,883

FY06

25

 

$29,199

$47,152

$43,875

$73,075

 

$34,585

$55,848

$51,967

$86,552

FY07

25

 

$19,562

$49,139

$47,931

$76,250

 

$22,529

$56,590

$55,199

$87,812

FY08

25

 

$36,113

$53,956

$52,859

$80,750

 

$40,052

$59,840

$58,623

$89,556

FY09

25

 

$29,495

$55,405

$53,500

$91,750

 

$32,829

$61,667

$59,546

$102,119

FY10

25

 

$30,712

$58,025

$58,750

$102,500

 

$33,632

$63,540

$64,334

$112,242

FY11

25

 

$32,250

$54,968

$54,504

$74,927

 

$34,235

$58,351

$57,858

$79,538

FY12

25

 

$31,750

$55,790

$53,768

$79,670

 

$33,021

$58,023

$55,919

$82,858

FY13

25

 

$33,500

$55,482

$53,000

$83,000

 

$34,337

$56,869

$54,325

$85,075

FY14

25

 

$34,833

$60,554

$56,458

$93,948

 

$35,134

$61,078

$56,946

$94,760

FY15

25

 

$35,615

$58,997

$59,678

$89,458

 

$35,881

$59,437

$60,122

$90,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

3.91%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

15.69%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

7.87%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 11. Legislative Assistant

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$31,916

$55,641

$54,032

$83,533

 

$43,032

$75,021

$72,850

$112,626

FY02

25

 

$32,706

$54,456

$52,592

$92,917

 

$43,411

$72,279

$69,805

$123,329

FY03

25

 

$29,996

$57,178

$52,337

$117,500

 

$38,926

$74,201

$67,920

$152,483

FY04

25

 

$30,203

$66,495

$58,500

$135,000

 

$38,178

$84,053

$73,948

$170,649

FY05

25

 

$38,933

$62,584

$58,788

$113,636

 

$47,601

$76,517

$71,876

$138,936

FY06

25

 

$35,376

$64,299

$60,625

$129,356

 

$41,900

$76,158

$71,806

$153,214

FY07

25

 

$40,333

$64,727

$68,000

$128,270

 

$46,449

$74,542

$78,311

$147,720

FY08

25

 

$49,688

$69,144

$66,971

$106,532

 

$55,106

$76,684

$74,274

$118,150

FY09

25

 

$50,042

$69,293

$66,125

$106,916

 

$55,697

$77,123

$73,598

$118,998

FY10

25

 

$55,021

$75,900

$77,344

$110,528

 

$60,250

$83,114

$84,696

$121,033

FY11

25

 

$46,042

$70,272

$70,396

$112,078

 

$48,875

$74,596

$74,728

$118,975

FY12

25

 

$46,667

$73,228

$74,000

$120,828

 

$48,534

$76,158

$76,961

$125,663

FY13

25

 

$42,333

$65,043

$65,640

$87,750

 

$43,392

$66,669

$67,281

$89,944

FY14

25

 

$30,333

$66,806

$67,000

$87,500

 

$30,595

$67,383

$67,579

$88,256

FY15

25

 

$58,755

$71,209

$67,667

$103,375

 

$59,193

$71,739

$68,170

$104,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-8.78%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-5.06%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-6.42%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 12. Legislative Correspondent

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$22,344

$30,560

$29,250

$41,250

 

$30,126

$41,204

$39,437

$55,617

FY02

25

 

$25,833

$31,677

$29,874

$44,525

 

$34,289

$42,044

$39,652

$59,098

FY03

25

 

$25,391

$32,950

$32,000

$46,853

 

$32,951

$42,760

$41,527

$60,803

FY04

25

 

$25,327

$34,350

$31,994

$56,467

 

$32,015

$43,420

$40,443

$71,377

FY05

25

 

$27,000

$32,787

$32,327

$43,585

 

$33,011

$40,086

$39,525

$53,289

FY06

25

 

$26,823

$34,706

$33,973

$47,070

 

$31,770

$41,108

$40,239

$55,751

FY07

25

 

$30,337

$36,061

$34,689

$44,500

 

$34,937

$41,529

$39,949

$51,248

FY08

25

 

$31,350

$38,316

$38,000

$52,250

 

$34,769

$42,494

$42,144

$57,948

FY09

25

 

$30,156

$38,093

$36,786

$49,750

 

$33,563

$42,398

$40,943

$55,372

FY10

25

 

$30,484

$39,817

$39,850

$50,500

 

$33,381

$43,602

$43,638

$55,300

FY11

25

 

$31,500

$37,460

$37,000

$51,250

 

$33,439

$39,766

$39,277

$54,404

FY12

25

 

$29,250

$37,616

$35,786

$53,417

 

$30,421

$39,122

$37,218

$55,554

FY13

25

 

$34,000

$39,396

$37,787

$49,083

 

$34,850

$40,381

$38,732

$50,311

FY14

25

 

$32,388

$40,412

$40,722

$58,333

 

$32,668

$40,761

$41,073

$58,837

FY15

25

 

$33,875

$39,794

$38,668

$52,000

 

$34,127

$40,090

$38,956

$52,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-0.82%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-3.19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-1.22%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 13. Legislative Director

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$70,417

$97,697

$96,988

$138,459

 

$94,942

$131,724

$130,768

$186,683

FY02

25

 

$88,750

$106,021

$104,925

$140,542

 

$117,798

$140,722

$139,267

$186,542

FY03

25

 

$63,821

$102,688

$106,396

$130,986

 

$82,823

$133,262

$138,072

$169,985

FY04

25

 

$67,401

$107,803

$105,695

$140,245

 

$85,200

$136,271

$133,605

$177,279

FY05

25

 

$46,028

$114,528

$119,391

$156,559

 

$56,275

$140,027

$145,973

$191,415

FY06

25

 

$87,083

$118,402

$117,038

$152,430

 

$103,144

$140,240

$138,624

$180,544

FY07

25

 

$76,166

$114,607

$117,333

$146,601

 

$87,716

$131,985

$135,125

$168,831

FY08

25

 

$88,042

$125,774

$122,500

$160,395

 

$97,643

$139,490

$135,859

$177,887

FY09

25

 

$98,743

$135,702

$134,583

$167,305

 

$109,902

$151,037

$149,793

$186,212

FY10

25

 

$105,000

$138,951

$134,500

$169,459

 

$114,980

$152,158

$147,284

$185,566

FY11

25

 

$96,458

$129,435

$130,000

$169,459

 

$102,394

$137,400

$138,000

$179,888

FY12

25

 

$99,667

$133,606

$131,500

$169,459

 

$103,655

$138,953

$136,762

$176,240

FY13

25

 

$94,854

$128,555

$130,000

$156,205

 

$97,226

$131,769

$133,250

$160,111

FY14

25

 

$100,000

$128,618

$132,000

$155,750

 

$100,864

$129,730

$133,141

$157,096

FY15

25

 

$106,583

$132,473

$137,000

$162,625

 

$107,377

$133,460

$138,020

$163,836

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

0.01%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-0.44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

5.55%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 14. Press Secretary

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$21,120

$64,528

$66,625

$92,242

 

$28,476

$87,003

$89,830

$124,369

FY02

25

 

$38,042

$69,220

$72,533

$102,667

 

$50,493

$91,876

$96,273

$136,270

FY03

25

 

$41,983

$70,863

$68,893

$100,000

 

$54,483

$91,961

$89,404

$129,773

FY04

25

 

$41,098

$67,127

$62,523

$109,734

 

$51,950

$84,854

$79,033

$138,711

FY05

25

 

$47,280

$73,719

$70,625

$116,347

 

$57,807

$90,132

$86,349

$142,251

FY06

25

 

$38,667

$65,042

$63,917

$112,446

 

$45,798

$77,039

$75,705

$133,185

FY07

25

 

$44,958

$70,928

$61,000

$125,644

 

$51,775

$81,683

$70,250

$144,696

FY08

25

 

$53,333

$70,951

$66,323

$147,569

 

$59,149

$78,689

$73,555

$163,661

FY09

25

 

$38,452

$71,592

$67,453

$131,000

 

$42,797

$79,683

$75,076

$145,804

FY10

25

 

$41,000

$73,021

$70,096

$138,419

 

$44,897

$79,961

$76,758

$151,575

FY11

24

 

$46,808

$65,442

$61,896

$110,591

 

$49,689

$69,470

$65,705

$117,397

FY12

25

 

$40,000

$64,934

$59,083

$118,000

 

$41,601

$67,533

$61,448

$122,722

FY13

25

 

$39,221

$64,690

$59,500

$127,500

 

$40,202

$66,308

$60,988

$130,688

FY14

25

 

$50,333

$71,385

$62,914

$130,000

 

$50,768

$72,002

$63,458

$131,123

FY15

25

 

$53,610

$73,754

$71,650

$127,813

 

$54,009

$74,303

$72,183

$128,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

9.86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-4.65%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-19.64%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 15. Scheduler

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$29,690

$50,705

$50,917

$75,308

 

$40,031

$68,365

$68,650

$101,537

FY02

25

 

$31,625

$54,661

$52,875

$83,000

 

$41,976

$72,552

$70,181

$110,166

FY03

25

 

$20,000

$55,495

$51,292

$86,488

 

$25,954

$72,017

$66,563

$112,237

FY04

25

 

$39,583

$64,745

$63,167

$120,280

 

$50,036

$81,842

$79,847

$152,042

FY05

25

 

$35,508

$60,678

$59,594

$93,865

 

$43,413

$74,188

$72,862

$114,764

FY06

25

 

$44,026

$64,998

$64,825

$102,673

 

$52,146

$76,985

$76,781

$121,609

FY07

25

 

$29,021

$61,579

$62,357

$106,447

 

$33,421

$70,916

$71,812

$122,588

FY08

25

 

$37,975

$72,018

$74,594

$112,096

 

$42,116

$79,872

$82,729

$124,320

FY09

25

 

$28,468

$76,762

$78,250

$162,986

 

$31,685

$85,437

$87,093

$181,405

FY10

25

 

$34,916

$78,105

$76,887

$125,701

 

$38,235

$85,528

$84,195

$137,648

FY11

25

 

$38,000

$76,168

$72,500

$159,333

 

$40,339

$80,855

$76,962

$169,139

FY12

25

 

$38,792

$77,970

$76,000

$135,000

 

$40,344

$81,091

$79,041

$140,402

FY13

25

 

$33,641

$72,157

$67,500

$130,000

 

$34,482

$73,962

$69,188

$133,251

FY14

25

 

$35,262

$77,111

$75,546

$131,812

 

$35,567

$77,777

$76,199

$132,952

FY15

25

 

$42,925

$76,226

$70,708

$134,921

 

$43,245

$76,794

$71,235

$135,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-7.44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-7.22%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

3.76%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 16. Specials Director

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

23

 

$32,322

$55,308

$49,538

$107,883

 

$43,579

$74,571

$66,791

$145,457

FY02

25

 

$25,167

$54,933

$49,498

$116,095

 

$33,404

$72,913

$65,699

$154,094

FY03

22

 

$26,667

$53,825

$47,619

$122,214

 

$34,606

$69,850

$61,796

$158,600

FY04

25

 

$33,040

$55,154

$49,082

$98,051

 

$41,764

$69,718

$62,043

$123,943

FY05

25

 

$30,508

$57,955

$49,525

$133,860

 

$37,301

$70,858

$60,552

$163,663

FY06

25

 

$34,875

$58,483

$52,598

$105,933

 

$41,307

$69,269

$62,299

$125,471

FY07

22

 

$32,753

$63,093

$58,978

$109,000

 

$37,720

$72,661

$67,921

$125,528

FY08

21

 

$39,700

$63,145

$58,167

$123,875

 

$44,030

$70,031

$64,510

$137,384

FY09

25

 

$16,810

$64,690

$59,246

$134,557

 

$18,710

$72,001

$65,942

$149,764

FY10

25

 

$25,088

$63,544

$60,653

$139,788

 

$27,473

$69,584

$66,418

$153,075

FY11

19

 

$38,000

$67,259

$70,500

$96,655

 

$40,338

$71,398

$74,838

$102,603

FY12

22

 

$33,825

$65,481

$60,962

$97,083

 

$35,179

$68,101

$63,402

$100,968

FY13

15

 

$40,600

$60,860

$55,000

$105,083

 

$41,615

$62,382

$56,375

$107,711

FY14

20

 

$39,338

$64,122

$55,386

$129,000

 

$39,678

$64,676

$55,865

$130,115

FY15

22

 

$33,833

$61,688

$54,934

$108,020

 

$34,085

$62,147

$55,343

$108,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

-26.05%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-11.17%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-17.14%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 17. Staff Assistant

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$22,000

$31,205

$28,985

$51,275

 

$29,662

$42,074

$39,081

$69,133

FY02

25

 

$21,746

$34,269

$31,500

$67,250

 

$28,864

$45,485

$41,810

$89,261

FY03

25

 

$21,500

$37,073

$34,095

$72,250

 

$27,901

$48,111

$44,245

$93,761

FY04

25

 

$21,000

$36,668

$36,107

$62,917

 

$26,545

$46,351

$45,642

$79,531

FY05

25

 

$21,153

$38,744

$36,365

$66,333

 

$25,863

$47,370

$44,461

$81,102

FY06

25

 

$22,781

$39,231

$35,954

$84,136

 

$26,983

$46,467

$42,585

$99,654

FY07

25

 

$25,962

$41,297

$39,275

$83,998

 

$29,899

$47,559

$45,230

$96,735

FY08

25

 

$19,600

$44,694

$40,104

$81,750

 

$21,737

$49,568

$44,477

$90,665

FY09

25

 

$18,683

$37,386

$35,216

$56,500

 

$20,794

$41,611

$39,196

$62,885

FY10

25

 

$18,781

$36,566

$35,661

$61,500

 

$20,566

$40,041

$39,051

$67,346

FY11

25

 

$27,668

$37,963

$35,083

$59,300

 

$29,371

$40,299

$37,242

$62,949

FY12

25

 

$22,000

$37,968

$33,583

$72,000

 

$22,880

$39,487

$34,927

$74,881

FY13

25

 

$24,431

$35,959

$35,062

$60,300

 

$25,042

$36,858

$35,939

$61,808

FY14

25

 

$28,114

$39,920

$36,551

$75,000

 

$28,357

$40,265

$36,866

$75,648

FY15

25

 

$27,025

$38,956

$37,000

$75,000

 

$27,226

$39,246

$37,275

$75,559

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

0.09%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

-12.47%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

-4.62%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Table 18. State Director

 

 

 

Nominal $

 

Constant $

Year

Obs

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

 

Minimum

Average

Median

Maximum

FY01

25

 

$56,000

$82,660

$79,521

$122,533

 

$75,504

$111,450

$107,217

$165,210

FY02

25

 

$61,604

$87,459

$84,567

$130,104

 

$81,767

$116,085

$112,246

$172,688

FY03

25

 

$57,083

$85,785

$88,700

$109,667

 

$74,079

$111,325

$115,108

$142,317

FY04

25

 

$70,000

$96,097

$99,000

$123,126

 

$88,484

$121,473

$125,142

$155,639

FY05

25

 

$77,017

$104,232

$102,927

$139,312

 

$94,165

$127,438

$125,843

$170,329

FY06

25

 

$54,398

$104,504

$101,328

$159,755

 

$64,431

$123,779

$120,016

$189,219

FY07

25

 

$79,146

$106,843

$99,707

$160,659

 

$91,147

$123,044

$114,826

$185,020

FY08

25

 

$73,750

$112,563

$110,006

$163,563

 

$81,792

$124,838

$122,003

$181,400

FY09

25

 

$81,132

$118,890

$113,975

$167,305

 

$90,301

$132,325

$126,855

$186,212

FY10

25

 

$79,429

$120,986

$116,496

$169,459

 

$86,979

$132,485

$127,569

$185,566

FY11

25

 

$81,500

$126,386

$123,557

$169,459

 

$86,516

$134,163

$131,161

$179,888

FY12

25

 

$83,500

$123,006

$116,500

$169,459

 

$86,841

$127,928

$121,162

$176,240

FY13

25

 

$56,167

$125,491

$120,400

$169,459

 

$57,571

$128,629

$123,410

$173,696

FY14

25

 

$78,833

$132,613

$127,467

$169,459

 

$79,515

$133,760

$128,568

$170,924

FY15

25

 

$93,500

$134,582

$135,250

$169,459

 

$94,196

$135,584

$136,257

$170,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

5 Years, FY11-FY15

3.89%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Years, FY06-FY15

13.53%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years, FY01-FY15

27.09%

Median Pay

Change in Pay

FY15 Distribution of Pay

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Report of the Secretary of the Senate, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Tabular change is based on change in median pay expressed in constant dollars for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on constant 2016 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in blue. Change in Pay visualizations for General Schedule, Washington, DC, and Members of Congress are based on calendar year change calculated in constant 2016 dollars; staff position is based on change by fiscal year. Detailed information about data sources is available above in "Data Tables and Visualizations."

Author Contact Information

[author name scrubbed], Coordinator, Specialist in American National Government ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Research Assistant ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])

Acknowledgments

[author name scrubbed], Research Assistant, provided update support. Jacobo Licona, Brian Hamel, Joe Wisniewski, and Claire Laurence, former CRS interns, collected data for this report. [author name scrubbed], Visual Information Specialist, created the visualizations for this report. Claudia Guidi and Sandra L. Edwards, User Support Specialists, and Alex Marine, Publications Editor, provided formatting and editorial support.

Footnotes

1.

Since 2014, the minimum level of gross pay has been $2,267 for Senate staff. The maximum annual pay for staff in a Senator's personal office has since 2009 been $169,459, 2 U.S.C. 4575. Maximum payable rates for staff in a Senator's office since 2001 are available in Table 1.

2.

For discussion of resources available to Members to carry out their official duties, see, Congressional Salaries and Allowances, by [author name scrubbed].

3.

U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Senate, 2006 U.S. Senate Employment, Compensation, Hiring and Benefits Study (Washington: 2006).

4.

In this report, pay refers to monies paid by the Senate to staff, and excludes other components of total compensation, which might include paid leave or employer contributions to various insurance and retirement benefits.

5.

The Report of the Secretary of the Senate since April 2011 is available at https://www.senate.gov/legislative/common/generic/report_secsen.htm.

6.

http://www.legistorm.com/.

7.

For a discussion of staff roles in Members' offices, see, Congressional Staff: Duties and Functions of Selected Positions, by [author name scrubbed].

8.

Other job titles which may indicate similar duties, and for which pay data were collected for this category, include Office Manager, Office Administrator, and Administrative Manager. No data are available for administrative directors in FY2001-FY2003.

9.

Other job titles which may indicate similar duties, and for which pay data were collected for this category, include Casework Director, Casework Coordinator, and Director of Constituent Services.

10.

Other job titles which may indicate similar duties, and for which pay data were collected for this category, include Constituent Services Representative and Federal Caseworker.

11.

Other job titles which may indicate similar duties, and for which pay data were collected for this category, include Legal Counsel, Legislative Counsel, Senior Counsel, Chief Counsel, and General Counsel.

12.

Another job title which may indicate similar duties, and for which pay data were collected for this category, was Regional Representative.

13.

Obtaining the salaries of every congressional staff member from every Senator's office listed in the Report of the Secretary of the Senate was beyond the capacity of available resources. Each year, a different, random sample of Senators' offices was taken for each position. The large random samples of positions in Senators' offices mean that a full accounting would be unlikely to yield significantly different results. At the same time, a study that examines pay data based on different job titles, or which combines pay data from positions of similar titles or duties (e.g., legislative assistant and senior legislative assistant, or executive assistants, schedulers, and executive assistant/schedulers), could result in findings that are different from those provided here.

14.

The numbers of staff whose data were counted are identified as observations in the data tables.

15.

Other forms of payment do not appear to be recorded in a consistent manner. Sometimes overtime and other pay is listed as separate entries and in other instances, significant one-time changes in a quarterly total may suggest payments in addition to regular salary.

16.

Information about the duration of staff employment is available in CRS Report R44683, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in House Committees, 2006-2016, CRS Report R44685, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in Senate Committees, 2006-2016, CRS Report R44682, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2006-2016, and CRS Report R44684, Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, 2006-2016.

17.

For information on the number of first-term Members in each Congress, see, First-Term Members of the House of Representatives and Senate, 64th - 113th Congresses, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].

18.

U.S. Senate, Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Handbook (Washington: 1996), pp. I-13.

19.

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, at http://www.bls.gov/cpi/tables.htm.

20.

Member pay data are taken from CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables, by [author name scrubbed].

21.

General Schedule pay change is based on changes in pay levels, and not the pay of individuals. General Schedule pay tables are available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2015/general-schedule/. For a complete description of areas covered under the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay table, see http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2014/locality-pay-area-definitions/#w.

22.

5 years, FY2011-FY2015; 10 years, FY2006-FY2015; and 14 years, FY2001-FY2015.

23.

The median is the midpoint at which half of the numbers in a list are higher and the other half lower.

24.

Data are not available in FY2001 for administrative directors.