Congressional Base Pay and Annual Salary
Members of Congress received a base salary of $174,000 in 2020, with leadership positions earning higher amounts. The Speaker of the House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders earned $223,500, while the President pro tempore of the Senate and party whips earned $193,400. These figures are set by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 and adjusted based on the Employment Cost Index, subject to member votes to decline or freeze increases. Pay is funded through the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill and is subject to federal income tax like other government employees.
The 2020 pay rates remained unchanged from 2019 after members voted to freeze their own salaries, continuing a trend of recent freezes. The last automatic across-the-board increase took effect in 2009, and subsequent adjustments have required explicit legislative action. The House and Senate each set their own pay rates for staff and officers, but member compensation follows a uniform formula tied to the General Schedule pay scale. For the full breakdown of current and historical pay, see the official House Administrative services page House Member Compensation.
Benefits, Allowances, and Retirement
Members of Congress receive a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, life insurance, and a generous retirement system. They participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System and the older Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, with eligibility after five years of service. In 2020, congressional pension benefits were calculated under standard federal rules, with annual accruals based on years of service and highest three years of pay. The system is administered by the Office of Personnel Management, and details on current benefit rules are published by the Office of Personnel Management Federal Employee Retirement.
Allowances and Office Funding
Each member receives a tax-free annual allowance to cover official office expenses, staff salaries, and travel between their district and Washington, D.C. The Members' Representational Allowance covers office space, equipment, and mail costs, while the Official Mail Allowance provides funding for constituent correspondence. These allowances are distinct from salary and are subject to strict reporting requirements and audits. The U.S. Senate and House each publish detailed guidance on allowable expenses and reporting procedures Senate Official Mail and Allowances.
Public Transparency and Recent Changes
Congressional pay and financial disclosures are publicly accessible through the Office of Congressional Ethics and the Senate Ethics Committee. The Senate Office of Public Records maintains financial disclosure reports for all senators, while the House Ethics Committee handles similar filings for House members. These disclosures include outside income, assets, and liabilities, and are filed annually. The data is searchable online, and recent changes to pay or allowances are recorded in the Congressional Record Congress.gov.
Comparison to Federal Pay and Other Roles
In 2020, the congressional salary of $174,000 placed members above the median federal employee pay but below many senior executive roles in the private sector. The General Schedule pay scale for federal employees is set by executive order and annual appropriations, while congressional pay requires a separate legislative action. The President of the United States earned $400,000 in 2020, and Cabinet secretaries earned $210,700, making congressional pay lower than the Cabinet level. Detailed federal pay tables and comparisons are available from the Office of Personnel Management