The Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials recently recommended a 14% pay increase for state lawmakers over the next two years.
This adjustment, set to bring legislators’ salaries to over $70,000 by 2026, aims to account for growing responsibilities and rising living costs.
The increase will come in two phases: a 7% hike on July 1, 2025, bringing pay to $66,411, followed by another 7% increase in 2026, raising salaries to $71,126.
Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and several lawmakers advocated for better compensation, arguing that legislative duties have expanded significantly.
Heck emphasized that state legislators are like the board of directors for Washington’s 8 million residents, and current salaries do not reflect the scope of their responsibilities.
Sen. Yasmin Trudeau highlighted the difficulties of balancing motherhood and public service, underscoring the need for pay to allow a diverse range of citizens, including working parents, to serve.
The commission also approved more modest increases for statewide executives and judges, with executives receiving a 3% cost of living adjustment in 2025 and an additional 2% in 2026, while judges will get a 4% raise in 2025 and a 3% boost in 2026.
Established in 1987, the commission operates independently of the government and convenes every two years to review salaries.
While they cannot lower pay, they are tasked with ensuring that salaries reflect the duties of the positions rather than the individuals holding them. Public comment will be gathered at hearings across the state in the coming months before the commission finalizes its decision in early 2025.