Historical Information

Compensation of Minnesota Legislators, 1858 - present

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

Until recently, the Minnesota Constitution provided that legislators’ compensation was prescribed by law. The annual salary for representatives and senators hadn't changed since 1999. A constitutional amendment regarding how legislators’ salaries are set was on the ballot during the 2016 election. The amendment was adopted and legislator salaries are now determined by the Legislative Salary Council. The sixteen council members are appointed by the governor and the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Frequent requests are made for historical legislative salary and per diem information. This chart seeks to compile the information in one place. These data on legislator salary, leadership salary, per diem, and lodging reimbursement compensation are taken from a variety of sources: House and Senate Rules Committee books, House and Senate Journals, Session Laws, Statutes, reports of the Minnesota State Compensation Council, reports of the Legislative Salary Council, and periodical sources. Individual data points link to their source of authority. Unique circumstances and other necessary details are included as footnotes.

Most data for leadership salary, per diem, and lodging reimbursement were found in materials from House or Senate Rules Committees, where resolutions on these matters are typically passed. Meeting minutes and the text of the resolutions are included.

While efforts have been made to verify this information, errors are possible. Please report any errors to library staff.

Years	Annual Salary^a	Annual Salary Authority	Salary Effective Date	House Leadership Salary¹	Senate Leadership Salary²	House Per Diem³	Senate Per Diem³	House Monthly Lodging Reimbursement^b	Senate Monthly Lodging Reimbursement^b
2023-2024	$48,250 / $51,750^f	Legislative Salary Council (Minn. Stat. 15A.0825)⁴⁷	7/1/2021 / 7/1/2023^f	140%⁵⁶	140%	$66/$86⁵⁷	$86	$2,200⁵⁵	$2,000
2021-2022	$46,500 / $48,250^e	Legislative Salary Council (Minn. Stat. 15A.0825)⁴⁷	7/1/2019 / 7/1/2021^e	140%	140%	$66	$86⁵²	$1,800⁵⁴	$2,000⁵³
2019-2020	$45,000 / $46,500^d	Legislative Salary Council (Minn. Stat. 15A.0825)⁴⁷	7/1/2017 / 7/1/2019^d	140%	140%	$66	$86⁴⁹	$1,800⁴⁸	$1,800⁵⁰/$2,000⁵¹
2017-2018	$31,140 / $45,000^c	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999 / 7/1/2017^c	140%	140%	$66⁴⁵	$86⁴⁶	$1,800	$1,800
2015-2016	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$66	$86⁵	$1,500	$1,500³⁶
2013-2014	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$66	$86⁴	$1,200	$1,200³⁷/$1,500
2011-2012	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$77/$66⁵⁸	$86	$1,200	$1,200
2009-2010	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$77	$96⁶	$1,200	$1,200³⁸
2007-2008	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$77	$96⁷	$1,200	$1,200
2005-2006	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$66	$66⁸	$1,200	$900
2003-2004	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$56	$66⁹	$1,000	$900
2001-2002	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$56	$66¹⁰	$900	$900
1999-2000	$31,140	1997 Minn. Laws Second Spl. Sess. Chap. 3 Sec. 16	1/4/1999	140%	140%	$56	$56¹¹	$757/$780	$800/$900
1997-1998	$29,657	1993 Minn. Laws Chap. 192 Sec. 2 Subd. 6	1/2/1995	140%	140%	$56	$56	$735	$750
1995-1996	$29,657	1993 Minn. Laws Chap. 192 Sec. 2 Subd. 6	1/2/1995	up to 140%	140%	$48	$50	$650	$600
1993-1994	$27,979	The Minnesota State Compensation Council recommended a salary of $27,979 pursuant to 1992 Minn. Stat. 15A.082 Subd. 3 There does not appear to be a corresponding law.	1/4/1993	up to 140%	140%	$48	$50	$600	$500
1991-1992	$27,979	The Minnesota State Compensation Council recommended a salary of $27,979 pursuant to 1990 Minn. Stat. 15A.082 Subd. 3 There does not appear to be a corresponding law.	1/7/1991	up to 140%	140%	$48	$50	$500	$450
1989-1990	$25,138/$26,395	1987 Minn. Laws Chap. 404 Sec. 43 Subd. 2	1/1/1989 / 1/1/1990	up to 140%	140%	$48	$48	$450	$400
1987-1988	$23,244/$23,941	1985 Minn. Laws First Spl. Sess. Chap. 13 Sec. 52	1/1/1987 / 1/1/1988	up to 140%	140%	$36⁴⁴	$36¹²/$36	$400⁴³	$300/$300
1985-1986	$21,140/$22,350	1984 Minn. Laws Chap. 654 Art. 2 Sec. 30	1/1/1985 / 1/1/1986	up to 140%	140%	$36/$23¹³	$36	--	$200
1983-1984	$18,500	1977 Minn. Laws Chap. 35 Sec. 10	1/1/1980	up to 140%	140%²⁰	$36/$23¹⁵	$36¹⁶	--	$200⁴²
1981-1982	$18,500	1977 Minn. Laws Chap. 35 Sec. 10	1/1/1980	up to 140%¹⁷	140%²⁰	$36/$23¹⁸	$36/$23¹⁹	--	--
1979-1980	$16,500/$18,500	1977 Minn. Laws Chap. 35 Sec. 10	1/1/1979 / 1/1/1980	140%²¹ / The resolution on leadership compensation was suspended on January 28, 1980.	140%²⁰	$27/$17²²	$27/$17²³	--	--
1977-1978	$8,400	1971 Minn. Laws First Spl. Sess. Chap. 32 Sec. 22	1/2/1973	--	--	$48/$40²⁴	$48/$40²⁵	--	--
1975-1976	$8,400	1971 Minn. Laws First Spl. Sess. Chap. 32 Sec. 22	1/2/1973	--	--	$33/$25²⁶	$33/$25²⁷	--	--
1973-1974	$8,400	1971 Minn. Laws First Spl. Sess. Chap. 32 Sec. 22	1/2/1973	--	--	$33/$25²⁸	$33/$25²⁹	--	--
1971-1972	$4,800	1965 Minn. Laws Chap. 881 Sec. 1	1/1/1967	--	--	$24/$16³⁰	$24/$16³¹	--	--
1969-1970	$4,800	1965 Minn. Laws Chap. 881 Sec. 1	1/1/1967	--	--	$24/$16³²	$24/$16³³	--	--
1967-1968	$4,800	1965 Minn. Laws Chap. 881 Sec. 1	1/1/1967	--	--	$21/$14³⁴	$21/$14³⁵	--	--
1965-1966	$2,400	1955 Minn. Laws Chap. 793 Sec. 1	1/1/1957	--	--	$21/$14⁴¹	$21/$14⁴¹	--	--
1963-1964	$2,400	1955 Minn. Laws Chap. 793 Sec. 1	1/1/1957	--	--	$18/$12⁴¹	$18/$12⁴¹	--	--
1961-1962	$2,400	1955 Minn. Laws Chap. 793 Sec. 1	1/1/1957	--	--	$12/$8⁴¹	$12/$8⁴¹	--	--
1959-1960	$2,400	1955 Minn. Laws Chap. 793 Sec. 1	1/1/1957	--	--	$12/$8⁴¹	$12/$8⁴¹	--	--
1957-1958	$2,400	1955 Minn. Laws Chap. 793 Sec. 1	1/1/1957	--	--	$12/$8⁴¹	$12/$8⁴¹	--	--
1955-1956	$1,500	1951 Minn. Laws Chap. 701 Sec. 1	1/1/1953	--	--	$1,100 for expenses⁴¹	$1,200 for expenses⁴¹	--	--
1953-1954	$1,500	1951 Minn. Laws Chap. 701 Sec. 1	1/1/1953	--	--	$800 for expenses⁴¹	$900 for expenses⁴¹	--	--
1951-1952	$1,000	1943 Minn. Laws Chap. 629 Sec. 1	1/2/1945	--	--	$800 for expenses⁴¹	$900 for expenses⁴¹	--	--
1949-1950	$1,000	1943 Minn. Laws Chap. 629 Sec. 1	1/2/1945	--	--	$375 for expenses⁴¹	$590.36 for expenses⁴¹	--	--
1947-1948	$1,000	1943 Minn. Laws Chap. 629 Sec. 1	1/2/1945	--	--	various⁴¹	various⁴¹	--	--
1945-1946	$1,000	1943 Minn. Laws Chap. 629 Sec. 1	1/2/1945	--	--	--	--	--	--
1909-1944	$500	1907 Minn. Laws Chap. 229	1/1/1909	--	--	--	--	--	--
1874-1909	$5/day	1874 Minn. Laws Chap. 113	1/1/1874	$10/day³⁹	$10/day³⁹	--	--	--	--
1857-1873	$3/day	Minnesota Constitution, Article 4, Section 7 (signed August 29, 1857)	12/2/1857⁴⁰	--	--	--	--	--	--

a - Members may individually elect to receive a salary that is less than what is detailed in this table.

b - This reimbursement rate represents the maximum monthly reimbursement for members’ lodging expenses. See the text of each resolution, linked from the reimbursement rate for a given year, for further details about the reimbursement. Members may individually elect to receive a lodging reimbursement that is less than what is detailed in this table.

c - On March 10, 2017, the Legislative Salary Council prescribed an annual salary of $45,000 beginning July 1, 2017. Senators began receiving an annual salary of $45,000 on July 1, 2017; Representatives began receiving an annual salary of $45,000 on August 1, 2017.

d - On March 15, 2019, the Legislative Salary Council prescribed an annual salary of $46,500 beginning July 1, 2019.

e - On March 12, 2021, the Legislative Salary Council prescribed an annual salary of $48,250 beginning July 1, 2021.

f - On March 10, 2023, the Legislative Salary Council prescribed an annual salary of $51,750 beginning July 1, 2023.

1 - House Leadership: Minnesota Statutes, section 3.099 provides that the House and Senate Rules Committees “may each designate for their respective body up to five leadership positions to receive up to 140 percent of the compensation of other members.” This statutory language was first added by Laws of Minnesota 1977, chapter 35, section 10, subd. 3. Originally only up to three leadership positions were eligible for this compensation level. In 2023, the Legislature expanded that to five (see Laws of Minnesota 2023, chap. 62, art. 2, sec. 9).

2 - Senate Leadership: Minnesota Statutes, section 3.099 provides that the House and Senate Rules Committees “may each designate for their respective body up to five leadership positions to receive up to 140 percent of the compensation of other members.” This statutory language was first added by Laws of Minnesota 1977, chapter 35, section 10, subd. 3. Originally only up to three leadership positions were eligible for this compensation level. In 2023, the Legislature expanded that to five (see Laws of Minnesota 2023, chap. 62, art. 2, sec. 9). The Senate has not passed resolutions related to leadership salaries since 1983.

3 - Per Diem: In some years prior to 1987, the House and Senate passed per diem resolutions assigning a higher per diem rate to greater-Minnesota legislators than to metro-area legislators, which accounts for why some of those years show two per diem rates. See individual resolutions for clarity on how these determinations were made. An attempt has also been made to include information about interim per diem rates in footnoted material. Members may individually elect to receive a per diem rate that is less than what is detailed in this table.

4 -Senate 2013-2014: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a per diem rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2011.

5 - Senate 2015-2016: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a per diem rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2011. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the 2015-2016 biennium.

6 - Senate 2009-2010: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a per diem rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2007. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

7 - Senate 2007-2008: Per diem was discussed on the floor several other times during the biennium.

8 - Senate 2005-2006: Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

9 - Senate 2003-2004: Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

10 - Senate 2001-2002: Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

11 - Senate 1999-2000: Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

12 - Senate 1987-1988: Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

13 - House 1985-1986: In committee, the House passed a resolution to establish per diem rates. That resolution refers to these pages of the 1981 House Journal.

14 - Senate 1985-1986: Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

15 - House 1983-1984: After committee discussion, the House passed a resolution on the floor to establish per diem rates.

16 - Senate 1983-1984: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 23 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium. This appears to be the first year the Senate stopped paying a higher per diem rate to legislators from greater Minnesota.

17 - House 1981-1982: The leadership salary was reinstated for House leadership in 1981.

18 - House 1981-1982: After committee discussion, the House passed a resolution on the floor to establish per diem rates.

19 - Senate 1981-1982: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 20 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

20 - Senate 1979-1980, 1981-1982, 1983-1984: The Senate determined in committee that the Majority and Minority Leaders would both receive the leadership salary each month. They designated the Chair of the Finance Committee and the Chair of the Committee on Taxes and Tax Laws to receive the pay differential on alternating months, starting with the Chair of Finance in January of the first year of the biennium.

21 - House 1979: A salary of 140% that of other members was given to the Speaker and the Chair of Rules. The House Floor Leader and the I-R Caucus Leader received 140% of the compensation of other members on alternate months, starting with the House Floor Leader in January 1979.

22 - House 1979-1980: After committee discussion, the House passed House Resolution No. 5 on the floor to establish per diem rates. It stated that House members were to submit their requested per diem rate in writing. Minnesota Statutes 1978, 3.099 specified the maximum rate.

23 - Senate 1979-1980: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 16 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

24 - House 1977-1978: After committee discussion, the House passed House Resolution No. 2 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

25 - Senate 1977-1978: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 17 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

26 - House 1975-1976: After committee discussion, the House passed House Resolution No. 4 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

27 - Senate 1975-1976: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 15 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

28 - House 1973-1974: After committee discussion, the House passed House Resolution No. 8 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

29 - Senate 1973-1974: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 17 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

30 - House 1971-1972: After committee discussion, the House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

31 - Senate 1971-1972: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 on the floor to establish per diem rates. Per diem was discussed in committee several other times during the biennium.

32 - House 1969-1970: After committee discussion, the House passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

33 - Senate 1969-1970: The Senate passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 on the floor to establish per diem rates. No related committee documents were found.

34 - House 1967-1968: After committee discussion, the House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

35 - Senate 1967-1968: After committee discussion, the Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 on the floor to establish per diem rates.

36 - Senate 2015-2016: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a lodging reimbursement rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2014.

37 - Senate 2013: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a lodging reimbursement rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2011-2012.

38 - Senate 2009-2010: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a lodging reimbursement rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2007-2008.

39 - House & Senate 1874-1909: The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House received this higher payment of $10 per day.

40 - The first day of the 1857-1858 legislative session was December 2, 1857. The United States Congress admitted Minnesota as a state in the union on May 11, 1858. The 1857-1858 legislative session is considered the first legislative session. (Eight territorial sessions preceded the 1857-1858 legislative session.)

41 - House & Senate 1947-1966: Per diem and "expense" figures for 1947-1966 are based on information taken from House and/or Senate Journals. Any potentially relevant committee materials related to this compensation have not yet been consulted. It appears 1947 was the first year legislators received compensation beyond their prescribed salary (i.e. expense reimbursement or per diem).

42 - Senate 1983-1984: This appears to be the first year the Senate provided a lodging reimbursement to legislators from greater Minnesota.

43 - House 1987: This appears to be the first year the House provided a lodging reimbursement to legislators from greater Minnesota.

44 - House 1987: This appears to be the first year the House stopped paying a higher per diem rate to legislators from greater Minnesota.

45 - House 2017-2018: House Speaker Kurt Daudt temporarily suspended per diem payments for House members, effective October 6, 2017. Per diem payments for House members were reinstated in December 2017.

46 - Senate 2017-2018: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a per diem rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2011. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka temporarily suspended per diem payments for Senators, effective November 8, 2017. Per diem payments for Senators were reinstated on November 30, 2017.

47 - The Legislative Salary Council (see Minn. Stat. 15A.0825) prescribes an annual salary for legislators by March 31 of odd-numbered years to take effect on July 1 of that year.

48 - House 2019-2020: Total reimbursement may not exceed $32,400.

49 - Senate 2019-2020: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a per diem rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2011.

50 - Senate 2019-2020: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a lodging reimbursement rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in December 2016.

51 - Senate 2019-2020: On June 16, 2019 the Senate Rules Committee approved a resolution to raise the lodging reimbursement to $2,000 per month, effective January 1, 2020.

52 - Senate 2021-2022: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a per diem rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in 2011.

53 - Senate 2021-2022: In recent years, it is the custom of the Senate that when a lodging reimbursement rate is set, it continues at that rate until such a time as it is explicitly changed. This figure reflects the rate set in June 2019, which became effective on January 1, 2020.

54 - House 2021-2022: Total reimbursement may not exceed $32,400.

55 - House 2023-2024: Total reimbursement may not exceed $39,600.

56 - House 2023-2024: In light of a statutory change made to Minn. Stat. 3.099, five members are eligible to receive up to 140% of the compensation of other members, effective July 1, 2023. (Previously only three members were eligible for this compensation.) In June 2023, the House Rules Committee approved a resolution granting the House Majority Whip and House Assistant Minority Leader leadership-level pay.

57 - House 2023-2024: In June 2023, the House Rules Committee approved a resolution to change the per diem rate for members from $66 to $86, and applied this rate retroactively to January 3, 2023.

58 - House 2011-2012: In June 2011, the House Rules Committee adjusted the per diem rate for House members from $77 to $66. The $66 per diem rate was effective July 1, 2011.

Historical Information

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 321 State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155