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.
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