New York Lawmakers’ Salaries Could Hit $180,000 By 2028

New York State lawmakers are the highest-paid state legislators in the country, and a new proposal could raise their salaries even higher.

Most of us can relate when we hear someone complain about not being paid what they are worth at their job. For the most part, a lot of New Yorkers are underpaid and overworked, right? But is the same true for New York State lawmakers?

New York State Lawmakers to Get Higher Salaries?

Most New York State lawmakers currently make $142,000 annually, making them the highest paid in the nation, according to WRGB.

A new bill has been introduced to the New York State Senate that would raise lawmakers' annual salaries even higher.

New Bill Proposes Pay Raise

Senate Bill S9329 was introduced to the New York Senate on March 2, 2026, and proposes a raise in compensation for state lawmakers to $180,000 annually.

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Senator James Sanders Jr. is sponsoring the bill, which would not only raise compensation starting on January 1st, 2028, but it would also include an annual cost-of-living adjustment. This would increase the salary each year after that to match any increase to the consumer price index for urban consumers (CPI-U), meaning residents in urban or metropolitan areas.

The purpose of the bill reads,

"This bill would modernize legislative compensation standards to reflect the full-time, high-responsibility nature of service in the New York State Legislature by increasing the salary for members of the Senate and Assembly to $180,000 annually with a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in subsequent years."

 

Section 1 of the bill states that the legislature finds that the duties of state legislators have expanded substantially in scope, complexity, and time commitment, effectively constituting a full-time public service role.

Higher Salaries Are Necessary

The higher salaries are necessary to attract qualified candidates, promote diversity of representation, and support ethical and independent governance according to the bill.

The bill is currently in committee and has a few more steps to climb before it reaches Governor Kathy Hochul's desk to be signed.

Sen. Sanders is also sponsoring another bill (Senate Bill S9293)that would increase the Senate term limit in New York to four years. Currently, members of the Senate and Assembly in New York serve two-year terms and do not have term limits.