House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2021

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected
September 29, 2022
Positions, 2001-2021
R. Eric Petersen
The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring interest among Members of
Specialist in American
Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data
National Government
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
Tyler L. Wolanin
pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems.
Research Assistant

This report provides pay data for the following 14 staff position titles that are used in House
committees: Chief Counsel; Clerk; 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 2021 pay levels and the change in median pay levels for these positions in constant
2022 dollars, between 2020 and 2021.
Table 1.2021 Median Pay and Percentage Change for Selected Staff Positions in House
Committees, 2022 Dollars and Percentage Change, 2020-2021
2021 Pay,
2021 Pay,
Constant
Change,
Constant
Change,
Position
2022$
2020-2021
Position
2022$
2020-2021
Chief Counsel
$185,954
0.84%
Minority Professional Staff Member
$123,449
-16.61%
Clerk
$87,702
1.47%
Professional Staff Member
$114,248
0.91%
Communications Director
$150,973
-2.63%
Senior Counsel
$150,703
-1.26%
Counsel
$133,016
16.20%
Senior Professional Staff Member
$160,683
-3.22%
Deputy Staff Director
$188,697
-0.45%
Staff Assistant
$66,153
14.19%
Digital Director
$89,387
5.96%
Staff Director
$189,309
-1.98%
General Counsel
$186,223
2.56%
Subcommittee Staff Director
$149,111
-5.74%
Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. 2021 median pay
provided in constant 2022 dol ars.
Report tables provide aggregate statistics on pay for each staff position for 2001, 2007, 2012, and 2017-2021, 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, 2001-2021, in nominal (current) and constant 2022 dollars;
and
 distributions of 2021 pay in constant 2022 dollars, in $10,000 increments.
Other data, which may not represent the entire 2001-2021 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 on Size, Pay, Job Tenure, and Duties.
Congressional Research Service


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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Data Concerns ................................................................................................................................. 2
Data Tables and Visualizations ........................................................................................................ 2
House Committee Staff Pay Tables ................................................................................................. 3

Tables
Table 1.2021 Median Pay and Percentage Change for Selected Staff Positions in House
Committees, 2022 Dollars and Percentage Change, 2020-2021 .................................................. 2
Table 2. House Committee Staff Pay, Annual Maximums, 2001-2022 ........................................... 4
Table 3. 2021 Median Pay in Constant 2022 Dollars, and Changes in Pay for Selected
Staff In House Committees, Members Of Congress, and Selected General Schedule
Employees, Selected Periods ........................................................................................................ 5

Table 4. Chief Counsel .................................................................................................................... 6
Table 5. Clerk .................................................................................................................................. 7
Table 6. Communications Director .................................................................................................. 8
Table 7. Counsel .............................................................................................................................. 9
Table 8. Deputy Staff Director ...................................................................................................... 10
Table 9. Digital Director ................................................................................................................. 11
Table 10. General Counsel ............................................................................................................ 12
Table 11. Minority Professional Staff Member ............................................................................. 13
Table 12. Professional Staff Member ............................................................................................ 14
Table 13. Senior Counsel ............................................................................................................... 15
Table 14. Senior Professional Staff Member ................................................................................. 16
Table 15. Staff Assistant ................................................................................................................ 17
Table 16. Staff Director ................................................................................................................. 18
Table 17. Subcommittee Staff Director ......................................................................................... 19

Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 20


Congressional Research Service


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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; rates of pay, subject to maximum levels;1 and resources
available to carry out their official duties. 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 14 staff position titles that are used in House committees, and
for which sufficient data could be identified. The positions include the following:
Chief Counsel
Digital Director
Senior Professional Staff Member
Clerk
General Counsel
Staff Assistant
Communications Director
Minority Professional Staff Member
Staff Director
Counsel
Professional Staff Member
Subcommittee Staff Director
Deputy Staff Director
Senior Counsel

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.5

1 Effective September 1, 2022, the maximum annual pay for staff in House committees, a figure that has increased over
time, is $203,700. A minimum salary of $45,000 per year was also established for the first time. See Order of the
Speaker of the House of Representatives
, May 6, 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 2.
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/.
5 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.
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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 of the jobs
carried out by House committee staff.
 The manner in which 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.6 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.7 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. Table 2 provides the
maximum payable rates for House committee staff since 2001 in both nominal (current) and
constant 2022 dollars.
Constant dollar calculations throughout the report are based on the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers (CPI-U), various years, expressed in 2022 dollars.8

6 Positions that typically employ one staff member per committee include communications director, deputy staff
director, minority staff director, and staff director.
7 Positions that typically employ two or more staff members per committee include counsel, staff assistant, and
professional staff member.
8 U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, at https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/
CUUR0000SA0.
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Table 3 provides 2021 pay levels in median pay in constant 2022 dollars and percentage changes
for each of the 14 positions; for Members of Congress;9 and for salaries paid under the General
Schedule in Washington, DC, and surrounding areas and in the Rest of the United States (RUS)
area.10
Table 4 through Table 17 provide available tabular pay data for each staff position for 2001,
2007, 2012, and 2017-2021, including data distributed by quartile, median pay, and average pay.
The numbers of staff for which data were counted are identified as “#” in the data tables. Staff
pay tables also provide a comparison, at various intervals to 2021, based on data availability, of
the cumulative percentage change in median pay for that position, in constant, 2022 dollars.
Graphic displays are also included for each position, providing representations of pay from the
following two perspectives:
 distributions of 2021 pay in constant 2022 dollars, in $10,000 increments; and
 a line graph showing change in median pay, 2001-2021 (or available data), in
nominal (current) and constant 2022 dollars.
House Committee Staff Pay Tables
Interpreting Pay Tables: Statistics Describing Pay Data
For each year that data are available, statistical values for staff positions are included in Table 4 through Table
17
, i
ncluding the fol owing:
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.


9 Member pay data are taken from CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and
Historical Tables
.
10 General Schedule pay change is based on changes in pay levels, and not the pay of individuals. General Schedule pay
tables for various years are available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/. For a
complete description of areas covered under the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA and
RUS locality pay tables in 2022, see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2022/
locality-pay-area-definitions/.
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Statistical Measures Used in Pay Tables
Quartile1
Quartile2
Quartile3
Minimum
(Q1)
(Q2) Median
(Q3)
Maximum
Average
Lowest
25th Percentile
50th Percentile
75th percentile
Highest
The mean,
number in
number in a
or number
a list
25% of staff
50% of staff make less than
75% of staff
list
expressing
make less than
Q2
make less than
the central
Q1
Q3
value in a
set of data
Middle number
Median—midpoint at which
Middle number
between
half of the numbers in a list
between
Minimum and
are higher and the other half
Median and
Median
lower
Maximum
Lower Quartile
Interquartile Range = Q3-Q1 Upper Quartile

Table 2. House Committee Staff Pay, Annual Maximums, 2001-2022
Constant
Constant
Year Nominal $
2022 $
Year Nominal $
2022 $
2001
$143,600
$233,804
2012
$172,500
$216,643
2002
$148,500
$238,019
2013
$172,500
$213,515
2003
$153,200
$240,080
2014
$172,500
$210,107
2004
$156,600
$239,043
2015
$172,500
$209,858
2005
$160,600
$237,115
2016
$172,500
$207,243
2006
$163,700
$234,139
2017
$172,500
$202,920
2007
$163,700
$227,655
2018
$172,500
$198,082
2008
$167,800
$224,728
2019
$172,500
$194,557
2009
$172,500
$231,847
2020
$173,900
$193,746
2010
$172,500
$228,106
2021
$199,300
$212,081
2011
$172,500
$221,126
2022
$203,700
$203,700
Source: 2 U.S.C. 4532 note, CRS calculations. Detailed information about data sources is available above in
“Data Tables and Visualizations.”


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Table 3. 2021 Median Pay in Constant 2022 Dollars, and Changes in Pay for Selected
Staff In House Committees, Members Of Congress, and Selected General Schedule
Employees, Selected Periods
2021 Pay,

Constant
2020-
2017-
2012-
2007-
2001-
2022$
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
Chief Counsel
$185,954
0.84%
-1.89%
-8.98%
-14.23%
34.45%
Clerk
$87,702
1.47%
18.50%
-53.58%


Communications Director
$150,973
-2.63%
2.61%
-0.63%
8.49%

Counsel
$133,016
16.20%
2.85%
-7.31%
-0.55%
2.32%
Deputy Staff Director
$188,697
-0.45%
-4.70%
-11.20%


Digital Director
$89,387
5.96%




General Counsel
$186,223
2.56%




Minority Professional Staff Mbr
$123,449
-16.61%
5.89%
-6.46%

-14.64%
Professional Staff Member
$114,248
0.91%
8.06%
-5.57%
-15.88%
-12.75%
Senior Counsel
$150,703
-1.26%
-14.45%
-15.30%


Senior Professional Staff Mbr
$160,683
-3.22%
13.74%
-5.40%
-11.68%
-15.94%
Staff Assistant
$66,153
14.19%
17.36%
29.69%
-28.19%
-3.52%
Staff Director
$189,309
-1.98%
-6.71%
-12.53%
-16.84%
-18.77%
Subcommittee Staff Director
$149,111
-5.74%
-11.62%
-18.39%

-20.59%
Congressional Staff Positions Pay Change Summary

Increase
7
7
1
1
2

Decrease
7
5
11
6
6
Members of Congress, General Schedule Pay Change
MCs
$185,158
-4.49%
-9.54%
-15.27%
-19.41%
-21.62%
General Schedule, DC
Varies
-3.53%
-1.05%
-1.32%
-0.07%
7.21%
General Schedule, Rest of U.S.
Varies
-3.53%
-2.87%
-4.58%
-6.51%
-2.47%
Source: CRS calculations, based on data provided in Table 4-Table 17 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 2022 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. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and
Visualizations.”

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Table 4. Chief Counsel


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
Year #
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
2001
4
$114,529
$76,216
$84,950
$122,329 $126,123
$119,709
$186,471 $124,091
$138,312
$199,171
$205,348
$194,906
2007
7
$130,099 $142,454
$155,892
$159,656 $161,997
$150,315
$180,926 $198,108
$216,796
$222,031
$225,286
$209,041
2012
11 $139,000 $150,159
$162,673
$163,629 $170,696
$157,525
$174,570 $188,584
$204,301
$205,501
$214,377
$197,836
Most Recent Five Years
2017
6
$147,116 $153,921
$161,116
$168,300 $170,696
$160,377
$173,060 $181,065
$189,529
$197,980
$200,798
$188,659
2018
5
$162,103 $162,103
$164,642
$170,639 $170,696
$166,036
$186,143 $186,143
$189,059
$195,945
$196,011
$190,660
2019
5
$162,100 $163,046
$163,717
$167,967 $167,967
$164,959
$182,827 $183,894
$184,651
$189,444
$189,444
$186,052
2020
9
$163,983 $165,218
$165,508
$168,756 $169,482
$166,589
$182,697 $184,073
$184,396
$188,014
$188,823
$185,601
2021
6
$169,911 $171,915
$174,748
$176,179 $179,600
$174,439
$180,807 $182,940
$185,954
$187,477
$191,118
$185,625
Change
2020-2021
0.84%
2017-2021
-1.89%
2012-2021
-8.98%
2007-2021
-14.23%
2001-2021
34.45%




Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-6

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Table 5. Clerk


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
Year #
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
2012
4
$40,111
$107,640
$150,423
$170,696
$170,696
$127,913
$50,376
$135,185
$188,916
$214,377
$214,377
$160,646
Most Recent Five Years
2017
8
$36,587
$46,958
$62,917
$148,049
$170,696
$91,810
$43,039
$55,239
$74,012
$174,157
$200,798
$108,001
2018
12
$45,500
$51,583
$59,250
$150,115
$170,696
$91,986
$52,248
$59,233
$68,037
$172,378
$196,011
$105,628
2019
5
$44,164
$61,264
$68,322
$72,000
$153,333
$79,817
$49,812
$69,098
$77,058
$81,206
$172,940
$90,023
2020
9
$50,250
$67,333
$77,581
$84,790
$171,966
$93,097
$55,985
$75,018
$86,435
$94,466
$191,591
$103,721
2021
8
$48,750
$67,313
$82,417
$107,904
$176,617
$96,883
$51,876
$71,629
$87,702
$114,824
$187,943
$103,096
Change
2020-2021
1.47%
2017-2021
18.50%
2012-2021
-53.58%








Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”


CRS-7

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Table 6. Communications Director


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
Year #
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
2007
5
$85,917
$92,500
$100,069
$110,833 $126,100
$103,084
$119,483
$128,638
$139,165
$154,134
$175,365
$143,357
2012
10 $100,000 $109,801
$120,976
$144,250 $164,034
$126,218
$125,590
$137,900
$151,934
$181,163
$206,011
$158,517
Most Recent Five Years
2017
16
$95,000
$104,675
$125,075
$148,563 $168,411
$128,171
$111,753
$123,134
$147,132
$174,762
$198,110
$150,774
2018
13
$81,676
$112,159
$128,417
$145,188 $168,411
$126,912
$93,789
$128,792
$147,461
$166,720
$193,387
$145,733
2019
8
$88,028
$121,468
$136,097
$154,785 $167,535
$134,343
$99,284
$137,000
$153,500
$174,577
$188,957
$151,521
2020
19
$77,792
$134,178
$139,167
$147,223 $169,796
$133,945
$86,669
$149,490
$155,049
$164,025
$189,173
$149,231
2021
15 $107,000 $127,980
$141,875
$151,439 $170,000
$139,047
$113,862
$136,187
$150,973
$161,151
$180,902
$147,964
Change
2020-2021
-2.63%
2017-2021
2.61%
2012-2021
-0.63%
2007-2021
8.49%






Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”


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Table 7. Counsel


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
Year #
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
2001
16
$71,167
$62,958
$79,848
$94,407
$139,559
$82,257
$115,871
$102,506
$130,006
$153,710
$227,224
$133,928
2007
14
$59,167
$92,300
$96,177
$118,000 $139,041
$102,363
$82,282
$128,360
$133,751
$164,101
$193,362
$142,354
2012
17
$77,000
$82,000
$114,267
$121,883 $142,050
$108,888
$96,704
$102,984
$143,507
$153,073
$178,401
$136,752
Most Recent Five Years
2017
19
$68,250
$80,467
$109,944
$125,234 $143,583
$103,842
$80,286
$94,657
$129,333
$147,320
$168,904
$122,154
2018
20
$75,000
$84,101
$93,792
$130,026 $157,630
$105,681
$86,123
$96,573
$107,701
$149,309
$181,008
$121,354
2019
9
$75,222
$89,017
$112,081
$124,824 $149,994
$110,975
$84,841
$100,399
$126,413
$140,785
$169,173
$125,165
2020
26
$62,167
$85,592
$102,750
$121,066 $140,000
$102,470
$69,261
$95,360
$114,476
$134,882
$155,977
$114,164
2021
19
$76,305
$91,201
$125,000
$130,000 $145,000
$114,291
$81,199
$97,050
$133,016
$138,337
$154,299
$121,620
Change
2020-2021
16.20%
2017-2021
2.85%
2012-2021
-7.31%
2007-2021
-0.55%
2001-2021
2.32%




Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”


CRS-9

link to page 5


Table 8. Deputy Staff Director


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
Year #
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
2012
12 $140,124 $150,000
$169,206
$171,109 $172,500
$161,167
$175,982
$188,385
$212,505
$214,896
$216,643
$202,410
Most Recent Five Years
2017
10 $116,000 $154,725
$168,328
$171,598 $172,500
$158,392
$136,457
$182,010
$198,013
$201,859
$202,920
$186,324
2018
7
$142,156 $153,951
$165,674
$168,560 $172,500
$160,765
$163,238
$176,783
$190,244
$193,558
$198,082
$184,607
2019
5
$149,250 $166,956
$168,990
$170,696 $171,891
$165,557
$168,334
$188,304
$190,598
$192,522
$193,870
$186,726
2020
15 $142,500 $166,999
$170,142
$173,038 $173,900
$167,641
$158,762
$186,057
$189,559
$192,785
$193,746
$186,773
2021
5
$161,158 $173,411
$177,325
$183,900 $184,483
$176,056
$171,493
$184,532
$188,697
$195,693
$196,314
$187,346
Change
2020-2021
-0.45%
2017-2021
-4.70%
2012-2021
-11.20%








Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-10

link to page 5

Table 9. Digital Director


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$66,934
$72,418
$84,358
$86,901
$94,878
$81,098
2021
5
$65,583
$81,250
$84,000
$87,500
$87,917
$81,250
$69,789
$86,460
$89,387
$93,111
$93,555
$86,460






Change
2020-2021
5.96%




















Dol ars in figure


are in thousands.



























Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”


CRS-11

link to page 5

Table 10. General Counsel


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$172,449
$176,371
$181,566
$189,672
$191,180
$182,287
2021
7
$169,000
$173,764
$175,000
$178,948
$184,483
$176,272
$179,838
$184,907
$186,223
$190,424
$196,314
$187,577






Change
2020-2021
2.56%




















Dol ars in figure


are in thousands.



























Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”


CRS-12

link to page 5

Table 11. Minority Professional Staff Member


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$119,941
$136,317
$144,625
$174,756
$227,224
$156,181
2007













2012
5
$67,500
$80,000
$105,085
$112,583
$143,760
$101,786
$84,773
$100,472
$131,976
$141,393
$180,548
$127,833
Most Recent Five Years
2017
6
$56,106
$95,139
$99,103
$104,942
$114,150
$94,861
$66,000
$111,917
$116,580
$123,448
$134,280
$111,590
2018













2019













2020
4
$88,000
$94,750
$132,876
$169,508
$171,775
$131,382
$98,043
$105,563
$148,040
$188,853
$191,378
$146,376
2021
5
$106,250
$115,844
$116,010
$116,250
$157,906
$122,452 $113,064
$123,273
$123,449
$123,705
$168,032
$130,305

Change
2020-2021
-16.61%
2017-2021
5.89%
2012-2021
-6.46%
2007-2021

2001-2021
-14.64%

















Dol ars in figure


are in thousands.



























Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”

CRS-13

link to page 5


Table 12. Professional Staff Member


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$74,781
$121,141
$130,942
$146,534
$229,351
$129,492
2007
21
$44,700
$84,139
$97,657
$119,842 $136,433
$99,295
$62,163
$117,010
$135,809
$166,662
$189,736
$138,088
2012
28
$53,000
$78,978
$96,333
$117,079 $134,083
$96,110
$66,563
$99,188
$120,985
$147,040
$168,395
$120,705
Most Recent Five Years
2017
28
$50,000
$69,150
$89,875
$122,864 $172,500
$96,083
$58,818
$81,345
$105,725
$144,531
$202,920
$113,027
2018
37
$53,708
$78,534
$95,000
$120,750 $168,411
$99,111
$61,673
$90,181
$109,089
$138,658
$193,387
$113,809
2019
24
$54,500
$89,517
$101,207
$135,258 $161,597
$106,963
$61,469
$100,963
$114,148
$152,553
$182,260
$120,640
2020
38
$62,083
$87,396
$101,625
$124,846 $168,753
$105,188
$69,168
$97,370
$113,223
$139,093
$188,011
$117,192
2021
31
$67,167
$94,461
$107,363
$142,919 $172,778
$116,123
$71,474
$100,519
$114,248
$152,084
$183,858
$123,570
Change
2020-2021
0.91%
2017-2021
8.06%
2012-2021
-5.57%
2007-2021
-15.88%
2001-2021
-12.75%




Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-14

link to page 5


Table 13. Senior Counsel


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
Year #
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
Minimum
Q1
Q2, Median
Q3
Maximum
Average
2012
14
$97,517 $132,609
$141,673
$145,000 $150,500
$136,034
$122,471
$166,544
$177,927
$182,105
$189,013
$170,845
Most Recent Five Years
2017
10
$84,333 $129,367
$149,750
$155,570 $170,696
$140,991
$99,206
$152,181
$176,158
$183,004
$200,798
$165,855
2018
7
$130,248 $149,001
$153,308
$162,043 $165,949
$153,085
$149,564
$171,099
$176,044
$186,075
$190,560
$175,788
2019
4
$78,657
$87,772
$115,079
$145,302 $163,166
$117,995
$88,714
$98,995
$129,794
$163,882
$184,030
$133,083
2020
13
$81,144 $135,000
$136,986
$156,205 $157,550
$137,985
$90,405
$150,406
$152,619
$174,032
$175,530
$153,732
2021
8
$109,000 $125,789
$141,621
$157,096 $163,465
$139,809
$115,990
$133,855
$150,703
$167,170
$173,948
$148,775
Change
2020-2021
-1.26%
2017-2021
-14.45%
2012-2021
-15.30%








Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-15

link to page 5


Table 14. Senior Professional Staff Member


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$119,131
$161,411
$191,164
$201,686
$203,720
$176,978
2007
5
$99,128
$126,128
$130,819
$138,502 $151,175
$129,150
$137,855
$175,404
$181,928
$192,613
$210,236
$179,607
2012
12
$82,000
$122,062
$135,250
$147,904 $164,000
$133,660
$102,984
$153,298
$169,860
$185,753
$205,968
$167,863
Most Recent Five Years
2017
12
$55,000
$96,750
$120,099
$138,569 $166,176
$117,175
$64,699
$113,812
$141,279
$163,005
$195,481
$137,839
2018
14
$60,000
$101,516
$113,250
$153,902 $170,030
$122,604
$68,898
$116,571
$130,045
$176,726
$195,246
$140,786
2019
4
$115,167 $126,778
$138,389
$139,945 $141,501
$131,686
$129,893
$142,988
$156,084
$157,839
$159,595
$148,524
2020
11 $117,612 $139,500
$149,023
$164,897 $171,569
$149,083
$131,034
$155,420
$166,030
$183,716
$191,149
$166,097
2021
9
$84,500
$148,500
$151,000
$168,067 $179,935
$149,849
$89,919
$158,023
$160,683
$178,845
$191,474
$159,458
Change
2020-2021
-3.22%
2017-2021
13.74%
2012-2021
-5.40%
2007-2021
-11.68%
2001-2021
-15.94%




Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-16

link to page 5


Table 15. Staff Assistant


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$41,925
$54,241
$68,564
$107,072
$202,706
$88,717
2007
12
$36,032
$53,360
$66,239
$83,208
$161,997
$77,341
$50,109
$74,207
$92,117
$115,716
$225,286
$107,557
2012
25
$30,000
$37,000
$40,617
$50,133
$151,534
$49,506
$37,677
$46,468
$51,010
$62,962
$190,312
$62,174
Most Recent Five Years
2017
9
$35,000
$39,758
$47,916
$74,333
$145,118
$67,545
$41,172
$46,770
$56,366
$87,442
$170,709
$79,456
2018
14
$32,500
$41,760
$47,894
$50,406
$154,733
$62,664
$37,320
$47,954
$54,997
$57,882
$177,681
$71,957
2019













2020
13
$43,380
$45,966
$52,000
$55,111
$59,750
$51,335
$48,331
$51,212
$57,934
$61,401
$66,569
$57,193
2021
5
$57,561
$57,600
$62,167
$65,000
$75,404
$63,546
$61,252
$61,294
$66,153
$69,168
$80,239
$67,621
Change
2020-2021
14.19%
2017-2021
17.36%
2012-2021
29.69%
2007-2021
-28.19%
2001-2021
-3.52%




Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-17

link to page 5


Table 16. Staff Director


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$177,908
$231,958
$233,044
$233,769
$233,804
$222,097
2007
5
$154,858 $159,828
$163,700
$163,700 $163,700
$161,157
$215,359
$222,270
$227,655
$227,655
$227,655
$224,119
2012
10 $164,593 $170,729
$172,330
$172,500 $172,500
$170,575
$206,712
$214,418
$216,429
$216,643
$216,643
$214,226
Most Recent Five Years
2017
14 $149,000 $166,061
$172,500
$172,500 $172,500
$168,048
$175,276
$195,345
$202,920
$202,920
$202,920
$197,684
2018
19 $131,500 $165,867
$172,500
$172,500 $172,500
$167,388
$151,002
$190,466
$198,082
$198,082
$198,082
$192,212
2019
12 $138,953 $162,384
$170,415
$172,500 $172,850
$164,819
$156,720
$183,148
$192,206
$194,557
$194,952
$185,894
2020
19 $144,000 $172,704
$173,350
$173,900 $173,900
$170,020
$160,434
$192,413
$193,133
$193,746
$193,746
$189,423
2021
13 $142,933 $173,411
$177,900
$184,483 $184,483
$175,914
$152,100
$184,532
$189,309
$196,314
$196,314
$187,195
Change
2020-2021
-1.98%
2017-2021
-6.71%
2012-2021
-12.53%
2007-2021
-16.84%
2001-2021
-18.77%




Dol ars in figures
are in thousands.


Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”
CRS-18

link to page 5


Table 17. Subcommittee Staff Director


Nominal, Current $
Constant 2022 $
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
$105,333
$163,620
$187,777
$199,475
$219,624
$177,342
2007













2012
8
$107,000 $121,500
$145,478
$165,548 $168,411
$142,671
$134,381
$152,592
$182,706
$207,911
$211,507
$179,181
Most Recent Five Years
2017
8
$123,201 $129,654
$143,417
$161,279 $168,411
$145,547
$144,928
$152,519
$168,708
$189,721
$198,110
$171,214
2018
6
$93,000
$135,664
$146,903
$152,104 $156,103
$138,111
$106,792
$155,783
$168,689
$174,661
$179,253
$158,593
2019
4
$130,950 $132,450
$133,197
$136,139 $144,222
$135,392
$147,694
$149,386
$150,229
$153,546
$162,663
$152,704
2020
13 $109,211 $137,501
$141,983
$145,078 $168,411
$141,227
$121,674
$153,193
$158,187
$161,634
$187,630
$157,344
2021
8
$123,000 $131,204
$140,125
$148,458 $173,411
$141,712
$130,888
$139,618
$149,111
$157,979
$184,532
$150,800
Change
2020-2021
-5.74%
2017-2021
-11.62%
2012-2021
-18.39%
2007-2021

2001-2021
-20.59%




Dol ars in figures

are in thousands.

Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House, as col ated 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 constant 2022 dol ars in thousands of dol ars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid
teal. Detailed information about data sources is available above in “Data Tables and Visualizations.”

CRS-19

House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2021



Author Information

R. Eric Petersen
Tyler L. Wolanin
Specialist in American National Government
Research Assistant



Acknowledgments
A number of CRS staff made substantial contributions to this report. Barbara L. Schwemle, Analyst in
American National Government, provided technical assistance. 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, Jonathan P. Kardashian, User Support Specialist, and Andrew M.
Schaefer, Editor, provided formatting, editorial, and production support.
Previous versions of the report were supported by the following: Casey Burgat, former Research Assistant,
provided update support; Claudia Guidi, formerly a User Support Specialist, and Alex Marine, former
Editor, provided formatting, editorial, and production support; and 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.

Congressional Research Service
R44322 · VERSION 10 · UPDATED
20