House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Updated August 27, 2024

Congressional Research Service

https://crsreports.congress.gov

R44322

Congressional Research Service

SUMMARY

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring interest 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 committee offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems.

This report provides pay data for the following 13 staff position titles that are used in House committees: Chief Counsel; Communications Director; Counsel; Deputy Staff Director; Digital Director; General Counsel; Minority Professional Staff Member; Professional Staff Member; Senior Counsel; Senior Professional Staff Member; Staff Assistant; Staff Director; and Subcommittee Staff Director. The following table provides 2023 pay levels and the change in median pay levels for these positions in 2024 dollars, between 2022 and 2023.

2023 Median Pay and Percentage Change for Selected Staff Positions in House Committees, 2024

Dollars, and Percentage Change, 2022-2023

Position

2023

Pay,

2024$

Change,

2022-

2023

Position

2023

Pay,

2024$

Change,

2022-

2023

Chief Counsel $187,918 3.58% Professional Staff Member $127,114 -5.60%

Communications Director $171,583 2.40% Senior Counsel $142,609 -9.84%

Counsel $134,285 -6.64% Senior Professional Staff Member $167,831 -0.91%

Deputy Staff Director $212,855 5.35% Staff Assistant $66,800 0.47%

Digital Director — — Staff Director $213,946 1.18%

General Counsel $195,533 -1.38% Subcommittee Staff Director $192,525 16.70%

Minority Professional Staff Member — —

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024. “—” indicates no data available.

Report tables provide aggregate statistics on pay for each staff position for 2001, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019-2023, including quartiles, median pay, and average pay, based on available data. Graphic displays are also included, providing representations of pay from the following two perspectives:

• a line graph showing change in median pay, 2001-2023, in nominal (current) and 2024 dollars; and

• distributions of 2023 pay in 2024 dollars, in $10,000 increments.

Other data, which may not represent the entire 2001-2023 period, are available to congressional staff upon request.

The Congressional Research Service provides a number of products on staffing issues. These can be found in CRS Report R44688, Congressional Staff: CRS Products.

R44322

August 27, 2024

R. Eric Petersen Specialist in American National Government

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service

Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Data Concerns ................................................................................................................................. 2 Data Tables and Visualizations ........................................................................................................ 2

House Committee Staff Pay Tables ................................................................................................. 3

Tables

Table 1. House Committee Staff Pay, Annual Maximums, 2001-2024 ........................................... 3 Table 2. 2023 Median Pay in 2024 Dollars, and Changes in Pay for Selected House

Committee Staff, Members of Congress, and Selected General Schedule Employees ................ 5

Table 3. Chief Counsel .................................................................................................................... 6 Table 4. Communications Director .................................................................................................. 7

Table 5. Counsel .............................................................................................................................. 8 Table 6. Deputy Staff Director ........................................................................................................ 9 Table 7. Digital Director ................................................................................................................ 10

Table 8. General Counsel ............................................................................................................... 11

Table 9. Minority Professional Staff Member ............................................................................... 12 Table 10. Professional Staff Member ............................................................................................ 13 Table 11. Senior Counsel ............................................................................................................... 14

Table 12. Senior Professional Staff Member ................................................................................. 15

Table 13. Staff Assistant ................................................................................................................ 16 Table 14. Staff Director ................................................................................................................. 17 Table 15. Subcommittee Staff Director ......................................................................................... 18

Contacts

Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 19

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service 1

Introduction

Levels of pay for congressional staff are a source of recurring interest among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. In House committees, the chair and ranking member set the terms and conditions of employment for majority and minority staff, respectively. This includes job titles and descriptions, as well as rates of pay, subject to maximum levels.¹ 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 committee offices; consideration by staff when negotiating compensation for a new position or promotion; 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. Pay² information in this report is based on the House Statement of Disbursements (SOD), published quarterly by the Chief Administrative Officer,³ as collated by LegiStorm, a private entity that provides some congressional data by subscription.⁴ Data in this report are based on official House reports, which afford the opportunity to use consistently collected data from a single, authoritative source. Additionally, this report provides annual data, which allows for observations about the nature of House committee staff compensation over time.

This report provides pay data for 13 staff position titles that are used in House committees, and for which sufficient data could be identified. The positions include the following:

Chief Counsel General Counsel Senior Professional Staff Member

Communications Director Minority Professional Staff Member Staff Assistant

Counsel Professional Staff Member Staff Director

Deputy Staff Director Senior Counsel Subcommittee Staff Director

Digital Director

When committees had more than two staff members with the same job title, data for no more than two staff per committee were collected. House committee staff had to hold a position with the same job title in the same committee for the entire year examined, and not receive pay from any other congressional employing authority for their data to be included. Every recorded payment ascribed in the LegiStorm data to those staff for the year is tabulated. Data collected for this report may differ from an employee’s stated annual salary due to the inclusion of overtime, bonuses, or other payments in addition to base salary paid in the course of a year.

1 Effective December 30, 2022, the maximum annual pay for House staff, a figure that has increased over time, is $212,100. A minimum salary of $45,000 per year was also established. See Order of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, December 30, 2022, set out as a note following 2 U.S.C. 4532. Maximum payable rates for House committee staff since 2001 are available in Table 1.

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

3 Volumes of the Statement of Disbursements since July 2009 are available at http://disbursements.house.gov/.

4 http://www.legistorm.com/.

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service 2

Data Concerns

Data presented here are subject to some challenges that could affect findings presented or their interpretation. Some of the concerns include the following:

• Given the large number of positions in committees with titles held by one House employee, data provided here almost certainly do not represent all the jobs carried out by House committee staff.

• The way staff titles are assigned might have implications about the representativeness of the data provided. Of positions for which data were collected, two broad categories emerge. The first category identifies position titles that usually appear to apply to one staff member per committee.⁵ Since almost all available data were collected for those positions, pay information provided is likely to be highly representative of what House committees pay staff in those positions. The second category includes positions for which committees might hire two or more staff members.⁶ Since pay data were collected for no more than two staff per committee for each position, it is more likely that data for those positions are a sample of staff in those positions rather than nearly complete data. Those data may be less closely representative of what all staff in those positions are paid.

• Pay data provide no insight into the education, work experience, position tenure, and full- or part-time status of staff, or other potential explanations for levels of compensation.

• Differences might exist in the job duties of staff in positions with the same title. Aggregation of pay by job title rests on the assumption that staff with the same title carry out the same or similar tasks. Given the wide discretion congressional employing authorities have in setting the terms and conditions of employment, there may be differences in the duties of similarly titled staff that could affect their levels of pay.

Data Tables and Visualizations

Tables in this section provide background information on House pay practices, comparative data for each position, and detailed data and visualizations for each position. Constant dollar calculations throughout the report are based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), various years, expressed in 2024 dollars.⁷

Table 1 provides the maximum payable rates for House committee staff since 2001 in both nominal (current) and 2024 dollars.

Table 2 provides 2023 pay levels in median pay in 2024 dollars and percentage changes for each of the 13 positions; for Members of Congress; and for salaries paid under the General Schedule in Washington, DC, and surrounding areas and in the Rest of the United States (RUS) area.

5 Positions that typically employ one staff member per committee include communications director, deputy staff director, minority staff director, and staff director.

6 Positions that typically employ two or more staff members per committee include counsel, staff assistant, and professional staff member.

7 2024 CPI-U based on the first half of the year.

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service 3

Table 3 through Table 15 provide available tabular pay data for each staff position for 2001, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019-2023, including data distributed by quartile, median pay, and average pay. Staff pay tables also provide a comparison, at various intervals to 2023, based on data availability, of the cumulative percentage change in median pay for that position, in 2024 dollars.

Graphic displays are also included for each position, providing representations of pay from the following two perspectives:

• distributions of 2023 pay in 2024 dollars, in $10,000 increments; and

• a line graph showing change in median pay, 2001-2023 (or available data), in nominal (current) and 2024 dollars.

House Committee Staff Pay Tables

Table 1. House Committee Staff Pay, Annual Maximums, 2001-2024

Year Nominal $ 2024 $ Year Nominal $ 2024 $

2001 $143,600 $253,100 2013 $172,500 $231,137

2002 $148,500 $257,663 2014 $172,500 $227,448

2003 $153,200 $259,895 2015 $172,500 $227,178

2004 $156,600 $258,771 2016 $172,500 $224,348

2005 $160,600 $256,685 2017 $172,500 $219,668

2006 $163,700 $253,463 2018 $172,500 $214,431

2007 $163,700 $246,444 2019 $172,500 $210,614

2008 $167,800 $243,275 2020 $173,900 $209,736

2009 $172,500 $250,982 2021 $199,300 $229,584

2010 $172,500 $246,932 2022 $203,700 $217,266

2011 $172,500 $239,376 2023 $212,100 $217,281

2012 $172,500 $234,523 2024 $212,100 $212,100

Source: 2 U.S.C. 4532 note, CRS calculations based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service 4

Interpreting Pay T ables: Statistics Describing Pay Data

For each year that data are available, statistical values for staff positions are included in Table 3 through Table 15, including the following:

Minimum & Maximum The smallest and largest pay level, respectively, for each position

Average (Mean) The mean is the average of a list of numbers, in which the sum of all the values is divided by the total number of values. For example, if three salaries, $30,000, $45,000, and $90,000, were identified for a given staff position, the average (mean) would be ($30,000 + $45,000 + $90,000) ÷ 3 = $55,000.

Median The midpoint at which half of the numbers in a list are higher and the other half lower. For example, if three salaries, $30,000, $45,000, and $90,000, were identified for a given staff position, the midpoint (median) would be $45,000.

Statistical Quartiles Statistical values that divide data into quarters for more detailed analysis. In a list of numbers, Quartile 1 (Q1) is a number that falls in the middle between the lowest number, or minimum, and the median. For example, if Q1 for a given staff position was $50,000, this would indicate that 25% of employees in that position make $50,000 or less. Quartile 2 (Q2) is also the median. Quartile 3 (Q3) is a number that falls in the middle between the median and the highest number in the list, or maximum. Numbers between Q1 and Q3 compose the interquartile range, the difference between the largest and smallest values in the middle 50% of a list of numbers. Quartiles might also be described as percentiles, as shown below.

Statistical Measures Used in Pay Tables

Minimum Quartile1

(Q1)

Quartile2

(Q2) Median

Quartile3

(Q3) Maximum Average

Lowest number in a list

25th Percentile 50th Percentile 75th percentile Highest number in a list

The mean, or number expressing the central value in a set of data

25% of staff make less than Q1

50% of staff make less than Q2

75% of staff make less than Q3

Middle number between Minimum and Median

Median—midpoint at which half of the numbers in a list are higher and the other half lower

Middle number between Median and Maximum

Lower Quartile Interquartile Range = Q3-Q1 Upper Quartile

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service 5

Table 2. 2023 Median Pay in 2024 Dollars, and Changes in Pay for Selected House

Committee Staff, Members of Congress, and Selected General Schedule Employees

2023

Pay,

2024$

2022-

2023

2019-

2023

2014-

2023

2009-

2023

2004-

2023

2001-

2023

Chief Counsel $187,918 3.58% -5.99% -11.97% -17.97% — —

Clerk — — — — — — —

Communications Director $171,583 2.40% 3.26% 5.65% 11.21% — —

Counsel $134,285 -6.64% -1.87% -9.79% -21.72% -18.33% -4.58%

Deputy Staff Director $212,855 5.35% 3.16% -1.81% -12.99% — —

Digital Director — — — — — — —

General Counsel $195,533 -1.38% — — — — —

Minority Professional Staff Member — — — — — — —

Professional Staff Member $127,114 -5.60% 2.87% 8.93% -19.85% -16.20% -10.32%

Senior Counsel $142,609 -9.84% 1.50% -18.22% — — —

Senior Professional Staff Member $167,831 -0.91% -0.67% 10.01% -20.64% -8.57% -18.90%

Staff Assistant $66,800 0.47% — 24.71% -9.53% 3.51% -10.00%

Staff Director $213,946 1.18% 2.82% -5.94% -14.26% -17.23% -15.19%

Subcommittee Staff Director $192,525 16.70% 18.38% 6.00% -8.72% -10.35% -5.29%

Congressional Staff Positions Pay Change Summary

Increase

6 6 5 1 1 1

Decrease

5 3 5 8 6 6

Members of Congress, General Schedule Pay Change

MCs $178,250 -3.95% -16.10% -22.31% -29.59% -31.77% -30.30%

General Schedule, DC Varies 0.71% -5.23% -3.22% -9.35% -3.70% 3.00%

General Schedule, RUS Varies 0.24% -6.83% -7.40% -13.75% -12.47% -7.29%

Source: CRS calculations, based on data provided in Table 3-Table 15 for congressional positions; CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables, for Members of Congress; and the Office of Personnel Management for federal civilian workers in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas and rest of the U.S. localities, various years. Nominal Member pay in 2024 is $174,000. General Schedule pay for individuals varies by grade, step, and locality, but percentage changes are consistent within each locality. “—” indicates no data available. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI- U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-6

Table 3. Chief Counsel

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2009 14 $136,200 $151,433 $157,449 $166,284 $172,500 $158,277 $198,167 $220,330 $229,084 $241,938 $250,982 $230,288

2014 10 $145,333 $160,095 $161,894 $163,833 $172,500 $161,897 $191,627 $211,091 $213,463 $216,020 $227,448 $213,466

Most Recent Five Years

2019 5 $162,100 $163,046 $163,717 $167,967 $167,967 $164,959 $197,916 $199,072 $199,891 $205,079 $205,079 $201,408

2020 9 $163,983 $165,218 $165,508 $168,756 $169,482 $166,589 $197,776 $199,265 $199,615 $203,532 $204,407 $200,919

2021 6 $169,911 $171,915 $174,748 $176,179 $179,600 $174,439 $195,729 $198,039 $201,302 $202,950 $206,891 $200,946

2022 12 $155,000 $174,500 $181,425 $187,557 $195,042 $179,469 $165,323 $186,121 $193,507 $200,048 $208,031 $191,421

2023 10 $170,000 $182,803 $183,437 $193,558 $199,889 $185,732 $174,153 $187,269 $187,918 $198,286 $204,772 $190,268

Change

2022-2023 3.58%

2019-2023 -5.99%

2014-2023 -11.97%

2009-2023 -17.97%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-7

Table 4. Communications Director

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2009 16 $79,458 $95,833 $106,045 $131,338 $163,224 $113,739 $115,610 $139,434 $154,293 $191,092 $237,487 $165,487

2014 14 $89,000 $115,958 $123,167 $144,260 $168,411 $128,454 $117,350 $152,895 $162,400 $190,213 $222,056 $169,371

Most Recent Five Years

2019 8 $88,028 $121,468 $136,097 $154,785 $167,535 $134,343 $107,478 $148,307 $166,168 $188,985 $204,552 $164,027

2020 19 $77,792 $134,178 $139,167 $147,223 $169,796 $133,945 $93,822 $161,828 $167,845 $177,562 $204,786 $161,547

2021 15 $107,000 $127,980 $141,875 $151,439 $170,000 $139,047 $123,259 $147,427 $163,433 $174,451 $195,832 $160,176

2022 15 $105,683 $140,792 $157,100 $164,313 $182,667 $152,821 $112,722 $150,168 $167,562 $175,255 $194,832 $162,999

2023 13 $109,695 $155,428 $167,492 $185,900 $199,889 $167,162 $112,374 $159,224 $171,583 $190,441 $204,772 $171,245

Change

2022-2023 2.40%

2019-2023 3.26%

2014-2023 5.65%

2009-2023 11.21%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-8

Table 5. Counsel

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 16 $45,930 $62,958 $79,848 $94,407 $139,559 $82,257 $80,953 $110,966 $140,736 $166,396 $245,977 $144,982

2004 19 $58,233 $82,250 $99,500 $116,027 $150,000 $101,021 $96,227 $135,913 $164,417 $191,727 $247,865 $166,931

2009 20 $94,261 $111,067 $117,900 $138,344 $170,696 $123,682 $137,147 $161,599 $171,542 $201,286 $248,358 $179,954

2014 19 $49,917 $89,000 $112,895 $122,625 $159,717 $106,016 $65,817 $117,350 $148,857 $161,685 $210,593 $139,786

Most Recent Five Years

2019 9 $75,222 $89,017 $112,081 $124,824 $149,994 $110,975 $91,843 $108,685 $136,846 $152,405 $183,135 $135,495

2020 26 $62,167 $85,592 $102,750 $121,066 $140,000 $102,470 $74,978 $103,230 $123,924 $146,014 $168,850 $123,586

2021 19 $76,305 $91,201 $125,000 $130,000 $145,000 $114,291 $87,900 $105,059 $143,994 $149,754 $167,033 $131,658

2022 24 $67,500 $113,672 $134,854 $145,198 $187,139 $132,735 $71,995 $121,242 $143,835 $154,868 $199,601 $141,575

2023 11 $101,663 $106,444 $131,083 $142,403 $186,773 $129,881 $104,146 $109,044 $134,285 $145,881 $191,336 $133,054

Change

2022-2023 -6.64%

2019-2023 -1.87%

2014-2023 -9.79%

2009-2023 -21.72%

2004-2023 -18.33%

2001-2023 -4.58%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-9

Table 6. Deputy Staff Director

Nominal $ 2024 $

Yea r # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

Minimu

m Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2009 5 $136,250 $147,910 $168,139 $170,449 $172,500 $159,050 $198,240 $215,205 $244,637 $247,999 $250,982 $231,413

2014 12 $134,000 $152,063 $164,417 $171,147 $172,500 $161,029 $176,684 $200,500 $216,789 $225,664 $227,448 $212,323

Most Recent Five Years

2019 5 $149,250 $166,956 $168,990 $170,696 $171,891 $165,557 $182,227 $203,845 $206,329 $208,412 $209,871 $202,137

2020 15 $142,500 $166,999 $170,142 $173,038 $173,900 $167,641 $171,865 $201,413 $205,203 $208,696 $209,736 $202,188

2021 5 $161,158 $173,411 $177,325 $183,900 $184,483 $176,056 $185,647 $199,762 $204,270 $211,844 $212,516 $202,808

2022 12 $165,000 $183,435 $189,428 $199,367 $208,583 $188,697 $175,989 $195,651 $202,043 $212,644 $222,474 $201,264

2023 10 $151,804 $204,165 $207,779 $211,365 $212,100 $201,366 $155,512 $209,152 $212,855 $216,528 $217,281 $206,285

Change

2022-2023 5.35%

2019-2023 3.16%

2014-2023 -1.81%

2009-2023 -12.99%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

$80

$165

$250

2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023

Nominal$ Constant$ Median Pay

CRS-10

Table 7. Digital Director

Current $, Nominal 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2020 5 $60,078 $65,000 $75,717 $78,000 $85,159 $72,791 $72,458 $78,395 $91,320 $94,074 $102,708 $87,791

2021 5 $65,583 $81,250 $84,000 $87,500 $87,917 $81,250 $75,549 $93,596 $96,764 $100,796 $101,276 $93,596

2022 6 $85,797 $94,372 $99,460 $104,533 $109,396 $98,836 $91,511 $100,657 $106,084 $111,494 $116,681 $105,418

2023 — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. “—” indicates no data available. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-11

Table 8. General Counsel

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2020 8 $154,784 $158,305 $162,968 $170,243 $171,597 $163,615 $186,681 $190,927 $196,551 $205,326 $206,959 $197,331

2021 7 $169,000 $173,764 $175,000 $178,948 $184,483 $176,272 $194,680 $200,168 $201,592 $206,140 $212,516 $203,058

2022 9 $117,578 $184,167 $185,889 $195,951 $202,233 $182,467 $125,408 $196,432 $198,268 $209,001 $215,701 $194,619

2023 6 $180,250 $188,480 $190,871 $194,904 $202,793 $191,453 $184,653 $193,084 $195,533 $199,665 $207,747 $196,129

Change

2022-2023 -1.38%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-12

Table 9. Minority Professional Staff Member

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 13 $73,667 $83,724 $88,827 $107,333 $139,559 $95,925 $129,840 $147,567 $156,561 $189,179 $245,977 $169,071

2004 15 $64,812 $93,442 $102,333 $133,462 $155,098 $105,503 $107,097 $154,407 $169,099 $220,537 $256,289 $174,337

2009 8 $59,750 $79,993 $96,467 $114,466 $127,408 $96,173 $86,935 $116,388 $140,356 $166,545 $185,375 $139,929

2014 6 $60,000 $90,812 $110,750 $133,817 $155,207 $110,397 $79,112 $119,740 $146,028 $176,442 $204,646 $145,562

Most Recent Five Years

2019 — — — — — — — — — — — — —

2020 4 $88,000 $94,750 $132,876 $169,508 $171,775 $131,382 $106,134 $114,275 $160,259 $204,439 $207,173 $158,456

2021 5 $106,250 $115,844 $116,010 $116,250 $157,906 $122,452 $122,395 $133,446 $133,638 $133,915 $181,900 $141,059

2022 8 $67,556 $102,083 $123,500 $162,948 $171,250 $124,740 $72,055 $108,882 $131,725 $173,799 $182,655 $133,047

2023 — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations, In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. “—” indicates no data available. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-13

Table 10. Professional Staff Member

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 24 $45,930 $74,404 $80,423 $90,000 $140,865 $79,533 $80,953 $131,139 $141,749 $158,628 $248,280 $140,180

2004 32 $41,083 $65,104 $91,792 $111,642 $143,211 $90,763 $67,887 $107,580 $151,680 $184,481 $236,647 $149,980

2009 25 $47,917 $87,333 $109,000 $137,000 $172,049 $109,033 $69,717 $127,067 $158,592 $199,331 $250,326 $158,640

2014 30 $54,000 $64,167 $88,506 $117,250 $155,000 $89,714 $71,201 $84,606 $116,698 $154,598 $204,373 $118,291

Most Recent Five Years

2019 24 $54,500 $89,517 $101,207 $135,258 $161,597 $106,963 $66,542 $109,296 $123,569 $165,144 $197,303 $130,597

2020 38 $62,083 $87,396 $101,625 $124,846 $168,753 $105,188 $74,877 $105,406 $122,567 $150,573 $203,528 $126,864

2021 31 $67,167 $94,461 $107,363 $142,919 $172,778 $116,123 $77,373 $108,815 $123,677 $164,636 $199,032 $133,768

2022 33 $86,525 $107,467 $126,250 $137,856 $197,074 $129,449 $92,287 $114,624 $134,658 $147,036 $210,199 $138,070

2023 23 $72,826 $108,074 $124,083 $154,549 $186,680 $129,224 $74,605 $110,714 $127,114 $158,324 $191,240 $132,380

Change

2022-2023 -5.60%

2019-2023 2.87%

2014-2023 8.93%

2009-2023 -19.85%

2004-2023 -16.20%

2001-2023 -10.32%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-14

Table 11. Senior Counsel

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2014 14 $45,200 $107,734 $132,250 $143,000 $170,116 $123,363 $59,598 $142,052 $174,376 $188,551 $224,304 $162,659

Most Recent Five Years

2019 4 $78,657 $87,772 $115,079 $145,302 $163,166 $117,995 $96,036 $107,166 $140,506 $177,407 $199,218 $144,067

2020 13 $81,144 $135,000 $136,986 $156,205 $157,550 $137,985 $97,866 $162,820 $165,215 $188,395 $190,017 $166,420

2021 8 $109,000 $125,789 $141,621 $157,096 $163,465 $139,809 $125,563 $144,903 $163,141 $180,967 $188,304 $161,054

2022 6 $111,234 $133,950 $148,300 $148,325 $160,673 $141,001 $118,642 $142,871 $158,176 $158,203 $171,373 $150,391

2023 10 $127,500 $135,220 $139,208 $162,746 $198,742 $149,475 $130,614 $138,523 $142,609 $166,721 $203,596 $153,126

Change

2022-2023 -9.84%

2019-2023 1.50%

2014-2023 -18.22%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-15

Table 12. Senior Professional Staff Member

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 6 $73,169 $99,137 $117,411 $123,874 $125,123 $108,698 $128,963 $174,733 $206,941 $218,332 $220,533 $191,584

2004 7 $75,917 $103,698 $111,083 $128,810 $141,050 $113,295 $125,447 $171,355 $183,558 $212,851 $233,076 $187,213

2009 10 $87,028 $126,487 $145,358 $166,349 $170,696 $141,473 $126,624 $184,035 $211,492 $242,033 $248,358 $205,838

2014 10 $73,000 $84,000 $115,708 $147,250 $164,000 $115,499 $96,253 $110,757 $152,566 $194,154 $216,240 $152,290

Most Recent Five Years

2019 4 $115,167 $126,778 $138,389 $139,945 $141,501 $131,686 $140,613 $154,790 $168,966 $170,866 $172,766 $160,782

2020 11 $117,612 $139,500 $149,023 $164,897 $171,569 $149,083 $141,848 $168,247 $179,733 $198,878 $206,925 $179,805

2021 9 $84,500 $148,500 $151,000 $168,067 $179,935 $149,849 $97,340 $171,065 $173,945 $193,605 $207,277 $172,619

2022 15 $104,167 $132,114 $158,800 $187,469 $194,761 $158,831 $111,104 $140,913 $169,376 $199,954 $207,732 $169,409

2023 8 $111,189 $149,561 $163,829 $180,802 $211,501 $164,583 $113,905 $153,215 $167,831 $185,219 $216,667 $168,603

Change

2022-2023 -0.91%

2019-2023 -0.67%

2014-2023 10.01%

2009-2023 -20.64%

2004-2023 -8.57%

2001-2023 -18.90%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-16

Table 13. Staff Assistant

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 20 $25,750 $33,314 $42,111 $65,763 $124,500 $54,489 $45,385 $58,718 $74,222 $115,909 $219,436 $96,039

2004 26 $29,222 $33,729 $39,056 $51,461 $155,010 $53,364 $48,287 $55,736 $64,538 $85,036 $256,145 $88,181

2009 15 $36,325 $44,058 $50,750 $76,875 $170,696 $66,030 $52,852 $64,104 $73,840 $111,851 $248,358 $96,071

2014 11 $32,000 $37,958 $40,625 $58,958 $163,701 $62,975 $42,193 $50,049 $53,565 $77,739 $215,846 $83,035

Most Recent Five Years

2019 — — — — — — — — — — — —

2020 13 $43,380 $45,966 $52,000 $55,111 $59,750 $51,335 $52,320 $55,439 $62,716 $66,468 $72,063 $61,913

2021 5 $57,561 $57,600 $62,167 $65,000 $75,404 $63,546 $66,308 $66,353 $71,613 $74,877 $86,862 $73,202

2022 5 $49,167 $58,167 $62,333 $71,633 $77,755 $47,644 $52,441 $62,040 $66,485 $76,404 $82,933 $50,817

2023 4 $56,208 $58,365 $65,207 $71,582 $72,333 $64,739 $57,581 $59,790 $66,800 $73,330 $74,100 $66,320

Change

2022-2023 0.47%

2019-2023 —

2014-2023 24.71%

2009-2023 -9.53%

2004-2023 3.51%

2001-2023 -10.00%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. “—” indicates no data available. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-17

Table 14. Staff Director

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 5 $109,270 $142,467 $143,133 $143,579 $143,600 $136,410 $192,592 $251,103 $252,278 $253,063 $253,100 $240,427

2004 7 $129,583 $141,292 $156,417 $156,548 $156,600 $148,326 $214,128 $233,475 $258,468 $258,685 $258,771 $245,098

2009 9 $167,800 $168,411 $171,500 $172,500 $172,500 $170,758 $244,144 $245,033 $249,527 $250,982 $250,982 $248,447

2014 13 $112,833 $170,696 $172,500 $172,500 $172,500 $165,939 $148,775 $225,069 $227,448 $227,448 $227,448 $218,796

Most Recent Five Years

2019 12 $138,953 $162,384 $170,415 $172,500 $172,850 $164,819 $169,655 $198,264 $208,069 $210,614 $211,042 $201,236

2020 19 $144,000 $172,704 $173,350 $173,900 $173,900 $170,020 $173,675 $208,293 $209,073 $209,736 $209,736 $205,056

2021 13 $142,933 $173,411 $177,900 $184,483 $184,483 $175,914 $164,653 $199,762 $204,933 $212,516 $212,516 $202,645

2022 19 $173,925 $188,883 $198,241 $201,867 $202,233 $194,150 $185,508 $201,462 $211,444 $215,310 $215,702 $207,080

2023 10 $179,387 $204,675 $208,844 $212,053 $212,100 $205,833 $183,769 $209,675 $213,946 $217,233 $217,281 $210,861

Change

2022-2023 1.18%

2019-2023 2.82%

2014-2023 -5.94%

2009-2023 -14.26%

2004-2023 -17.23%

2001-2023 -15.19%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

CRS-18

Table 15. Subcommittee Staff Director

Nominal $ 2024 $

Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average

2001 8 $64,694 $100,494 $115,331 $122,515 $134,891 $108,922 $114,026 $177,124 $203,274 $215,938 $237,751 $191,979

2004 16 $77,583 $121,468 $129,966 $134,100 $147,947 $125,937 $128,201 $200,718 $214,760 $221,591 $244,473 $208,102

2009 10 $105,198 $119,702 $144,957 $163,735 $170,696 $141,675 $153,060 $174,163 $210,907 $238,229 $248,358 $206,134

2014 12 $102,395 $131,250 $137,750 $158,247 $168,411 $141,386 $135,011 $173,058 $181,628 $208,654 $222,056 $186,422

Most Recent Five Years

2019 4 $130,950 $132,450 $133,197 $136,139 $144,222 $135,392 $159,884 $161,715 $162,627 $166,219 $176,088 $165,307

2020 13 $109,211 $137,501 $141,983 $145,078 $168,411 $141,227 $131,717 $165,836 $171,242 $174,974 $203,116 $170,330

2021 8 $123,000 $131,204 $140,125 $148,458 $173,411 $141,712 $141,690 $151,141 $161,418 $171,017 $199,762 $163,246

2022 13 $99,750 $137,200 $154,667 $172,367 $193,752 $152,140 $106,393 $146,337 $164,967 $183,846 $206,656 $162,272

2023 10 $156,304 $172,480 $187,934 $195,425 $200,000 $183,287 $160,122 $176,693 $192,525 $200,198 $204,885 $187,764

Change

2022-2023 16.70%

2019-2023 18.38%

2014-2023 6.00%

2009-2023 -8.72%

2004-2023 -10.35%

2001-2023 -5.29%

Dollars in figures are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2024 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2024 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2024.

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2023

Congressional Research Service R44322 · VERSION 14 · UPDATED 19

Author Information

R. Eric Petersen Specialist in American National Government

Acknowledgments

A number of CRS staff made substantial contributions to this report. Tyler L. Wolanin, former Research Assistant, collected data and coauthored this report. William T. Egar, former Analyst in American National Government, provided technical assistance and authored a section of the report. Sandra L. Edwards, User Support Specialist, and Andrew M. Schaefer, Editor, provided formatting, editorial, and production support.

Previous versions of the report were supported by the following. Barbara L. Schwemle, Analyst in American National Government, provided technical assistance. Casey Burgat, former Research Assistant, provided update support. Jonathan P. Kardashian, User Support Specialist, Michael M. McCarthy, Editor, Claudia Guidi, formerly a User Support Specialist, and Alex Marine, former Editor, provided formatting, editorial, and production support. Jacobo Licona, Brian Hamel, Joe Wisniewski, and Claire Laurence, former CRS interns, collected data for this report.

Disclaimer

This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.