12 U.S. mayors earning the most right now, ranked by salary

City hall paychecks can surpass those of the statehouse

The mayor’s pay is set locally, allowing it to range from a few thousand dollars to a substantial executive salary. In a few places, a mayor can even outearn the governor.

For this list, I compiled recent reported salaries, paired them with the latest Census population estimates, and sorted the highest paychecks from highest to lowest. The results are surprising, and sometimes a little weird.

San Francisco has the biggest salary on paper

San Francisco posts a mayor’s salary of around $364,582 annually, the highest figure on this list. Mayor Daniel Lurie, though, has pledged to accept only $1.

That contrast is the point: the official salary reflects how the job is valued in a high-cost city, while the personal decision shows how compensation can become a political signal as much as a paycheck.

Los Angeles puts big city leadership on a high rung

Los Angeles lists a mayor’s salary of around $328,395, putting Mayor Karen Bass near the top nationally. With roughly 3.9 million residents, the workload is enormous.

This is compensation comparable to that of a senior executive, tied to managing a substantial budget, a large workforce, and ongoing public scrutiny. The pay is big, and the schedule rarely slows down in a city this big.

Oxnard shows California city pay can spike

Oxnard, California, reports total pay and benefits of around $323,282 for Mayor Luis A. McArthur. With about 200,616 residents, it pays like a much larger market. It’s a reminder that population isn’t the whole story.

Local pay rules and how the job is defined can significantly increase compensation, especially when the mayor’s role is treated as a full-time chief executive post.

Quincy proves longevity can move the needle

Quincy, Massachusetts, has approved a raise that will put Mayor Thomas Koch’s salary at approximately $285,000.

The city currently has approximately 101,607 residents. When a mayor is expected to be deeply involved in operations and has a long track record, councils may be more willing to boost pay over time.

In Quincy’s case, the result is a salary that competes with far bigger cities.

Philadelphia pushes mayor’s pay into executive territory

Philadelphia reports the mayor’s salary of around $269,708 for Mayor Cherelle Parker. With approximately 1.57 million residents, the city’s problems are substantial and ongoing. At this level, the role is treated like top management, not ceremonial leadership.

Supporters often frame it as the cost of recruiting and retaining talent, when public safety, housing, and infrastructure all fall under the mayor’s purview.

Rosemont pays like a big city despite its size

Rosemont, Illinois, has about 4,145 residents, yet it reports a mayor’s salary of around $260,000 for Mayor Bradley Stephens. If that feels upside down, you’re not alone.

Small, high-revenue municipalities can structure the job like a professional executive position, with year-round responsibilities, and pay accordingly. It’s also proof that the title “mayor” can mean wildly different workloads from place to place.

New York City still lands among the top earners

New York City pays its mayor about $258,750, putting Mayor Zohran Mamdani near the top despite leading the nation’s largest city. In some cases, that salary can exceed a governor’s.

NYC is an excellent example of public sector pay having a ceiling, even for high-profile jobs. The tradeoff is influence, visibility, and responsibility on a scale few roles can match.

Florida City offers additional benefits beyond the paycheck

Florida City, Florida, reports a mayor’s salary of around $250,328 for Mayor Otis T. Wallace, plus an expense account and other benefits. The city’s population is about 13,157.

The key detail is that Wallace’s pay reflects combined duties as both mayor and city manager. When two jobs are combined into one, the compensation package can increase significantly, even in a small city.

Washington pays a clean round number

Washington, D.C., sets its mayor’s salary at $250,000, which is the current salary of Mayor Muriel Bowser. The district’s population is around 702,250. A fixed number written into law also changes the politics.

It reduces annual pay disputes, sets expectations early, and keeps attention focused on performance, especially in a jurisdiction with national visibility and complex layers of oversight every day.

Boston holds the quarter-million line

Boston reports a mayor’s salary of $250,000 for Mayor Michelle Wu. With about 673,458 residents, the job blends local services with regional influence.

At this level, pay begins to standardize across major US hubs, especially in areas with a high cost of living and full-time roles. It’s less about ceremonies and more about running a complex organization.

Maui prices leadership for broad authority

Maui County, Hawaii, reports a mayor’s salary of around $245,000 for Mayor Richard Bissen. The population is about 163,688, but the portfolio is wide.

Hawaii’s county structure gives mayors significant responsibility across various services, including tourism and emergency management.

When the job includes both everyday operations and disaster response, higher pay can be easier to justify to residents and taxpayers over time.

For a closer look at why some wealthy New Yorkers are considering Florida over NYC under the incoming mayor, read this related story.

San Diego rounds out the top tier in California

San Diego reports Mayor Todd Gloria’s salary as around $244,147. The city has about 1.4 million residents and a diverse economy. This spot is a valuable reality check.

California dominates the very top, but other regions still compete closely. The bigger lesson is simple: major pay is a local policy choice, and it can range from modest to eye-popping.

For another prominent example of how local policy shows up in your wallet, read about New York mailing roughly $2 billion in inflation refund checks to taxpayers.

What do you think about these 12 US mayors earning the most right now, ranked by salary? Please share your thoughts and drop a comment.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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