Washington State is set to increase the salaries of its governor, attorney general, and state lawmakers over the next two years.

The Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials has approved these raises to reflect the growing responsibilities and to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Details of the Salary Increases

State legislators will receive a 16% pay raise. Currently, they earn $61,997 annually. Starting July 1, 2025, their salaries will increase by 9% to $67,688, followed by a 7% increase on July 1, 2026, bringing their pay to $72,494.

The governor and attorney general will each receive a 14% raise. The governor’s salary will rise from $204,205 to $234,275, while the attorney general’s pay will go from $193,169 to $221,614 over the same period.

Other state executives, including the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, treasurer, and commissioner of public lands, will receive cost-of-living adjustments of 3% on July 1, 2025, and 2% on July 1, 2026.

Judges, including state Supreme Court justices, will see their salaries increase by 4% in July 2025 and an additional 3% in July 2026.

Reasoning Behind the Raises

The commission believes that the current salaries for legislators and certain executive positions have not kept pace with inflation and the increasing demands of their roles. They argue that higher compensation is necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals who can dedicate the required time and effort to these positions.

Commissioner Kirsten Barron stated, “If we want to encourage them to be connected to their constituencies, we have to give them more time to do that.”

Concerns and Considerations

Some commissioners expressed concerns about potential public backlash due to the size of the increases. A motion to boost legislators’ pay by an additional $10,000 was overwhelmingly defeated due to concerns of a negative public reaction. Commissioner Erik Arnold noted, “If we go too far too fast on this, it’s going to sink the whole thing.”

Commission Chair Jon Bridge emphasized the importance of being mindful of the state’s looming budget shortfall and public perception. He warned that a successful referendum against the salary schedule could result in no increases for elected officials and judges for two years.

Next Steps

The approved salary schedule will be filed with the Secretary of State’s Office. There will be a 90-day period during which a referendum can be filed. If none is filed, the new salaries will become law.

About the Commission

Established by voters in 1987, the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials operates independently of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Its 17 unpaid members include residents randomly selected from the state’s 10 congressional districts, as well as representatives from business, organized labor, higher education, and the legal and human resources professions.

Public Reaction

As of now, there has been no widespread public reaction to the announced salary increases. Given the state’s budget concerns, it remains to be seen how taxpayers will respond to these raises for elected officials.

Conclusion

Washington State is moving forward with significant salary increases for its elected officials and judges, aiming to align compensation with the demands of their roles and the rising cost of living. The coming months will reveal whether these changes will face any challenges during the referendum period.