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    • Minnesota Governor's Salary, 1983-Present

    Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

    In 1983, state law established that the Compensation Council make recommendations to the Legislature regarding salaries for several officials. The nature of the criteria for recommendations has changed over time. Current compensation recommendation criteria is in Minnesota Statutes 15A.082. Learn more about the history of the Compensation Council in the Library's Minnesota Agencies database.

    Historically, the Compensation Council made recommendations for the salary and effective date of that salary for constitutional officers (including the governor), judges, and several other officials. The Legislature established a new salary for the governor through an appropriation, or by passing a law that provides for a specific salary, or by providing for a percentage change in the salary. The Compensation Council made recommendations nearly every odd-numbered year, but they did not meet in 2003, 2011, or in 2015. 

    The 2023 Legislature amended the Compensation Council's statute to empower the Council to establish the salary of the Governor (and the other Constitutional Officers). This statutory change also adopted the 2023 Council's recommended increase of 9.0% for Constitutional Officer salaries effective July 1, 2023, and 7.5% effective July 1, 2024.

    The table below details Minnesota governors’ salaries from 1983 to the present. It draws together recommendations from the Compensation Council, the salary numbers from the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations documents, Salaries of Constitutional Officers, December 7, 2015 and Elected Official Salaries - 2/1/2023, as well as session law authority.

    Year Governor's Salary Salary Change Authority Effective Date of Change Salary Authority Notes Compensation Council Recommendations
    2024 $149,550 2023 recommendations July 1, 2024

    The salary listed here is based on the 7.5% increase from the 2023 recommendations.

    As of August of 2023, the Compensation Council had received communication from the Governor's office that he will not be increasing his salary. While the official salary has increased, the amount Governor Walz is receiving will not change and will remain at $127,629.

    7.5% increase to be effective July 1, 2024 in the 2023 recommendations

    "The cost of living increase, if any, calculated using the Consumer Price Index, following the process in Minn. Stat. 15A.0815, Subd 2" to be effective January 1, 2024 in the 2021 recommendations
    2023 $139,116 Laws of Minnesota 2023 chapter 62, article 2, sections 37-48 and the 2023 recommendations July 1, 2023

    The session law changed the Compensation Council's role so that salary rates will be determined by the Council beginning in fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023). The salary listed here is based on the 9% increase from the 2023 recommendations. 

    As of August of 2023, the Compensation Council had received communication from the Governor's office that he will not be increasing his salary. While the official salary has increased, the amount Governor Walz is receiving will not change and will remain at $127,629.

    9% increase to be effective July 1, 2023 in the 2023 recommendations

    3.5% increase to be effective January 1, 2023 in the 2021 recommendations
    2022 $127,629 NA NA No salary increase

    3.5% increase to be effective January 1, 2022 in the 2021 recommendations

    $166,000 to be effective January 1, 2022 in the 2019 recommendations
    2021 $127,629 NA NA No salary increase $160,000 to be effective January 1, 2021 in the 2019 recommendations
    2020 $127,629 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2019 $127,629 NA NA No salary increase $150,000 to be effective January 1, 2019 in the 2017 recommendations
    2018 $127,629 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2017 $127,629 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2016 $127,629 Laws of Minnesota 2013, chapter 142, article 6, sec. 12 January 1, 2016 3% increase 3% increase to be effective January 1, 2016 in the 2013 recommendations
    2015 $123,912 Laws of Minnesota 2013, chapter 142, article 6, sec. 12 January 1, 2015 3% increase 3% increase to be effective January 1, 2015 in the 2013 recommendations
    2014 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2013 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2012 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2011 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase The salary would be "adjusted by the rate of inflation (CPI-U) between 2009 and 2011, based on a calculation by the Commissioner of Finance" to be  effective January 3, 2011 in the 2009 recommendations
    2010 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2009 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase

    $157,000 to be effective January 1, 2009 in the 2009 recommendations

    The Council did not reach consensus on salary changes for Constitutional Officers in the 2007 recommendations
    2008 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2007 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase $137,869 to be effective January 1, 2007 in the 2005 recommendations
    2006 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2005 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    2004 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase 3% increase to be effective January 1, 2004 in the 2001 recommendations
    2003 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase 3% increase to be effective January 6, 2003 in the 2001 recommendations
    2002 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase 2.5% increase to be effective January 1, 2002 in the 1999 recommendations and 2001 recommendations
    2001 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase 7.5% increase to be effective January 1, 2001 in the 1999 recommendations and 2001 recommendations
    2000 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    1999 $120,303 NA NA No salary increase NA
    1998 $120,303 Laws of Minnesota 1997, 2nd special session, chapter 3, sec. 16 January 1, 1998 Increased by 2.5% effective July 1, 1997, and by 2.5% effective January 1, 1998.

    2.5% increase to be effective January 1, 1998 in the 1997 recommendations

    $121,481 to be effective January 1, 1998 in the 1995 recommendations

    1997 (July)

    		 $117,369 Laws of Minnesota 1997, 2nd special session, chapter 3, sec. 16 July 1, 1997 Increased by 2.5% effective July 1, 1997, and by 2.5% effective January 1, 1998. 2.5% increase to be effective July 1, 1997 in the 1997 recommendations
    1997 (January) $114,506 Laws of Minneota 1995, chapter 254, article 1, sec. 2, subd. 5 January 6, 1997 No salary increase: The salary increases recommended by the compensation council on April 1, 1995, for legislators, constitutional officers, and judges may not take effect unless ratified or approved as modified by another bill enacted by the 1995 legislature. $117,942 to be effective January 6, 1997 in the 1995 recommendations
    1996 $114,506 NA NA No salary increase NA
    1995 $114,506 Laws of Minnesota 1993, chapter 192, sec. 2, subd. 6 January 2, 1995 The 1989 Compensation Council increases for 1992 won't take effect until 1995. No salary increases in the 1993 recommendations
    1994 $109,053 Laws of Minnesota 1993, chapter 192, sec. 2, subd. 6 January 1, 1994 No salary increase; The 1989 Compensation Council increases for 1992 won't take effect until 1995. No salary increases in the 1993 recommendations
    1993 $109,053 Laws of Minnesota 1993, chapter 192, sec. 2, subd. 6 January 4, 1993 The 1989 Compensation Council increases for 1992 won't take effect until 1995. $109,053 ("Remain at the 1991 level") in the 1991 recommendations
    1992 $109,053 Laws of Minnesota 1991, chapter 345, article 1, sec. 28 January 1, 1992 Salary frozen at current levels and the 1989 Compensation Council increases for 1992 won't take effect until 1993. $114,506 to be effective January 7, 1991in the 1989 recommendations
    1991 $109,053 Laws of Minnesota 1991, chapter 345, article 1, sec. 28 January 7, 1991 Salary frozen at current levels and the 1989 Compensation Council increases for 1992 won't take effect until 1993. $109,053 to be effective January 7, 1991 in the 1989 recommendations
    1990 $103,860 Laws of Minnesota 1987, chapter 404, sec. 43, subd. 2 January 1, 1990 The Compensation Council recommendations were modified to be a 5% increase in 1989 and 1990 by Session Law. 4% increase to be effective January 1, 1990 in the 1986 recommendations
    1989 $98,914 Laws of Minnesota 1987, chapter 404, sec. 43, subd. 2 January 1, 1989 The Compensation Council recommendations were modified to be a 5% increase in 1989 and 1990 by Session Law. $98,923 to be effective January 1, 1989 in the 1986 recommendations
    1988 $94,204 Laws of Minnesota 1985, 1st special session, chapter 13, sec. 52, subd. 2 January 1, 1988 There was conditional language in the session law. The Governor's salary, according to the LCC chart, doesn't track with 4.5% increases, recommended by the Compensation Council. The conditional language may have been triggered. 4.5% increase in the 1984 recommendations
    1987 $91,460 Laws of Minnesota 1985, 1st special session, chapter 13, sec. 52, subd. 2 January 1, 1987 There was conditional language in the session law. The Governor's salary, according to the LCC chart, doesn't track with 4.5% increases, recommended by the Compensation Council. The conditional language may have been triggered. 4.5% increase to be effective January 1, 1987 in the 1984 recommendations
    1986 $87,924 Laws of Minnesota 1985, 1st special session, chapter 13, sec. 52, subd. 2 January 1, 1986 There was conditional language in the session law. The Governor's salary, according to the LCC chart, doesn't track with 4.5% increases, recommended by the Compensation Council. The conditional language may have been triggered. 4.5% increase to be effective January 1, 1986 in the 1984 recommendations
    1985 $84,560 Laws of Minnesota 1984, chapter 654, article 2, sec. 41, subd. 6 January 1, 1985 The session law amended Minnesota Statutes 1983 Supplement, section 15A.081, Subd. 6. [Repealed, 1987 c 404 s 191] $80,000 to be effective January 1, 1985 in the 1983 recommendations and 1983 addendum
    1984 $75,000 NA NA No salary increase NA
    1983 $75,000 Laws of Minnesota 1983, chapter 299, sec. 5 July 1, 1983 The session law amended Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 15A.081, Subd. 6. [Repealed, 1987 c 404 s 191] NA
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    Historical Information