House Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, 2001-2025 Updated September 11, 2026 (R44322) Jump to Main Text of Report Contents Introduction Data Concerns Data Tables and Visualizations House Committee Staff Pay Tables Tables Table 1. House Committee Staff Pay, Annual Maximums, 2001-2026 Table 2. 2025 Median Pay in 2026 Dollars, and Changes in Pay for Selected House Committee Staff, Members of Congress, and Selected General Schedule Employees Table 3. Chief Clerk Table 4. Chief Counsel Table 5. Clerk Table 6. Communications Director Table 7. Counsel Table 8. Deputy Staff Director Table 9. General Counsel Table 10. Minority Professional Staff Member Table 11. Professional Staff Member Table 12. Senior Counsel Table 13. Senior Professional Staff Member Table 14. Staff Assistant Table 15. Staff Director Table 16. Subcommittee Staff Director Summary The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring interest among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in committee offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for the following 14 staff position titles that are used in House committees: Chief Clerk; Chief Counsel; Clerk; Communications Director; Counsel; Deputy Staff Director; General Counsel; Minority Professional Staff Member; Professional Staff Member; Senior Counsel; Senior Professional Staff Member; Staff Assistant; Staff Director; and Subcommittee Staff Director. The following table provides 2025 pay levels and the change in median pay levels for these positions in 2026 dollars, between 2024 and 2025. 2025 Median Pay and Percentage Change for Selected Staff Positions in House Committees, 2026 Dollars, and Percentage Change, 2024 - 2025 Position 2025 Pay, 2026$ Change, 2024-2025 Position 2025 Pay, 2026$ Change, 2024-2025 Chief Clerk $169,625 13.25% Minority Professional Staff Member $103,657 -22.43% Chief Counsel $197,611 -1.87% Professional Staff Member $129,509 3.74% Clerk $96,955 -22.83% Senior Counsel $162,317 -1.99% Communications Director $178,736 2.75% Senior Professional Staff Member $174,664 10.44% Counsel $149,718 -1.67% Staff Assistant $69,910 -1.32% Deputy Staff Director $221,092 -0.24% Staff Director $228,032 1.97% General Counsel $212,746 -3.64% Subcommittee Staff Director $196,982 0.54% Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. "â" indicates no data available. Report tables provide aggregate statistics on pay for each staff position for 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021-2025, including quartiles, median pay, and average pay, based on available data. Graphic displays are also included, providing representations of pay from the following two perspectives: a line graph showing change in median pay, 2001-2025, in nominal (current) and 2026 dollars; and distributions of 2025 pay in 2026 dollars, in $10,000 increments. Other data, which may not represent the entire 2001-2025 period, are available to congressional staff upon request. The Congressional Research Service provides a number of products on congressional staffing matters. These include CRS Report R44323, Staff Pay, Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2001-2025 ; CRS Report R44324, Staff Pay, Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, FY2001-FY2025 ; CRS Report R44325, Senate Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, FY2001-FY2025 ; and CRS Report R46262, Congressional Staff: Duties and Qualifications Identified by Members of Congress for Selected Positions . Introduction Levels of pay for congressional staff are a source of recurring interest among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. In House committees, the chair and ranking member set the terms and conditions of employment for majority and minority staff, respectively. This includes job titles and descriptions, as well as rates of pay, subject to maximum levels. 1 There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in committee offices; consideration by staff when negotiating compensation for a new position or promotion; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. Publicly available information sources do not provide aggregated congressional staff pay data in a readily retrievable form. Pay 2 information in this report is based on the House Statement of Disbursements (SOD), published quarterly by the Chief Administrative Officer, 3 as collated by LegiStorm, a private entity that provides some congressional data by subscription. 4 Data in this report are based on official House reports, which afford the opportunity to use consistently collected data from a single, authoritative source. Additionally, this report provides annual data, which allows for observations about the nature of House committee staff compensation over time. This report provides pay data for 14 staff position titles that are used in House committees, and for which sufficient data could be identified. The positions include the following: Chief Clerk Deputy Staff Director Senior Professional Staff Member Chief Counsel General Counsel Staff Assistant Clerk Minority Professional Staff Member Staff Director Communications Director Professional Staff Member Subcommittee Staff Director Counsel Senior Counsel When committees had more than two staff members with the same job title, data for no more than two staff per committee were collected. House committee staff had to hold a position with the same job title on the same committee for the entire year examined and not receive pay from any other congressional employing authority for their data to be included. Every recorded payment ascribed in the LegiStorm data to those staff for the year is tabulated. Data collected for this report may differ from an employee's stated annual salary due to the inclusion of overtime, bonuses, or other payments in addition to base salary paid in the course of a year. The Congressional Research Service provides a number of products on congressional staffing matters. These include CRS Report R44323, Staff Pay, Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2001-202 5 ; CRS Report R44324, Staff Pay, Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, FY2001-FY2023 ; CRS Report R44325, Senate Committee Staff Pay, Selected Positions, FY2001-FY202 5 ; and CRS Report R46262, Congressional Staff: Duties and Qualifications Identified by Members of Congress for Selected Positions . Data Concerns Data presented here are subject to some challenges that could affect findings presented or their interpretation. Some of the concerns include the following: Given the large number of positions in committees with titles held by one House employee, data provided here almost certainly do not represent all the jobs carried out by House committee staff. The way staff titles are assigned might have implications regarding the representativeness of the data provided. Of positions for which data were collected, two broad categories emerge. The first category identifies position titles that usually appear to apply to one staff member per committee. 5 Since almost all available data were collected for those positions, pay information provided is likely to be highly representative of what House committees pay staff in those positions. The second category includes positions for which committees might hire two or more staff members. 6 Since pay data were collected for no more than two staff per committee for each position, it is more likely that data for those positions are a sample of staff in those positions rather than nearly complete data. Those data may be less closely representative of what all staff in those positions are paid. Pay data provide no insight into the education, work experience, position tenure, and full- or part-time status of staff, or other potential explanations for levels of compensation. Differences might exist in the job duties of staff in positions with the same title. Aggregation of pay by job title rests on the assumption that staff with the same title carry out the same or similar tasks. Given the wide discretion congressional employing authorities have in setting the terms and conditions of employment, there may be differences in the duties of similarly titled staff that could affect their levels of pay. Data Tables and Visualizations Tables in this section provide background information on House pay practices, comparative data for each position, and detailed data and visualizations for each position. Constant dollar calculations throughout the report are based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), various years, expressed in 2026 dollars. 7 Table 1 provides the maximum payable rates for House committee staff since 2001 in both nominal (current) and 2026 dollars. Table 2 provides 2025 pay levels in median pay in 2026 dollars and percentage changes for each of the 14 positions; for Members of Congress; and for salaries paid under the General Schedule in Washington, DC, and surrounding areas and in the Rest of the United States (RUS) area. Table 3 through Table 16 provide available tabular pay data for each staff position for 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021-2025, including data distributed by quartile, median pay, and average pay. Staff pay tables also provide a comparison, at various intervals to 2025, based on data availability, of the cumulative percentage change in median pay for that position, in 2026 dollars. Graphic displays are also included for each position, providing representations of pay from the following two perspectives: distributions of 2025 pay in 2026 dollars, in $10,000 increments; and a line graph showing changes in median pay, 2001-2025 (or available data), in nominal (current) and 2026 dollars. House Committee Staff Pay Tables Table 1. House Committee Staff Pay, Annual Maximums, 2001-2026 Year Nominal $ 2026 $ Year Nominal $ 2026 $ 2001 $143,600 $268,165 2014 $172,500 $240,985 2002 $148,500 $272,999 2015 $172,500 $240,700 2003 $153,200 $275,364 2016 $172,500 $237,701 2004 $156,600 $274,174 2017 $172,500 $232,743 2005 $160,600 $271,962 2018 $172,500 $227,194 2006 $163,700 $268,549 2019 $172,500 $223,150 2007 $163,700 $261,112 2020 $173,900 $222,220 2008 $167,800 $257,755 2021 $199,300 $243,249 2009 $172,500 $265,921 2022 $203,700 $230,198 2010 $172,500 $261,630 2023 $212,100 $230,214 2011 $172,500 $253,624 2024 $212,100 $233,618 2012 $172,500 $248,482 2025 $225,700 $230,346 2013 $172,500 $244,895 2026 $228,000 $228,000 Source: 2 U.S.C. 4532 note, CRS calculations based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Interpreting Pay Tables: Statistics Describing Pay Data For each year that data are available, statistical values for staff positions are included in Table 3 through Table 16 , including the following: Minimum & Maximum The smallest and largest pay level, respectively, for each position Average (Mean) The mean is the average of a list of numbers, in which the sum of all the values is divided by the total number of values. For example, if three salaries, $30,000, $45,000, and $90,000, were identified for a given staff position, the average (mean) would be ($30,000 + $45,000 + $90,000) ÷ 3 = $55,000. Median The midpoint at which half of the numbers in a list are higher and the other half lower. For example, if three salaries, $30,000, $45,000, and $90,000, were identified for a given staff position, the midpoint (median) would be $45,000. Statistical Quartiles Statistical values that divide data into quarters for more detailed analysis. In a list of numbers, Quartile 1 (Q1) is a number that falls in the middle between the lowest number, or minimum, and the median. For example, if Q1 for a given staff position was $50,000, this would indicate that 25% of employees in that position make $50,000 or less. Quartile 2 (Q2) is also the median. Quartile 3 (Q3) is a number that falls in the middle between the median and the highest number in the list, or maximum. Numbers between Q1 and Q3 compose the interquartile range, the difference between the largest and smallest values in the middle 50% of a list of numbers. Quartiles might also be described as percentiles, as shown below. Statistical Measures Used in Pay Tables Minimum Quartile 1 (Q1) Quartile 2 (Q2) Median Quartile 3 (Q3) Maximum Average Lowest number in a list 25 th Percentile 50 th Percentile 75 th percentile Highest number in a list The mean, or number expressing the central value in a set of data 25% of staff make less than Q1 50% of staff make less than Q2 75% of staff make less than Q3 Middle number between Minimum and Median Medianâmidpoint at which half of the numbers in a list are higher and the other half lower Middle number between Median and Maximum Lower Quartile Interquartile Range = Q3-Q1 Upper Quartile Table 2. 2025 Median Pay in 2026 Dollars, and Changes in Pay for Selected House Committee Staff, Members of Congress, and Selected General Schedule Employees 2025 Pay, 2026$ 2024- 2025 2021- 2025 2016- 2025 2011- 2025 2006- 2025 2001- 2025 Chief Clerk $169,625 13.25% â â â â â Chief Counsel $197,611 -1.87% -7.35% -10.42% -16.10% -20.88% -11.15% Clerk $96,955 -22.83% -3.61% 12.58% â â â Communications Director $178,736 2.75% 3.22% 2.94% 17.80% -5.79% â Counsel $149,718 -1.67% -1.87% 11.39% -10.16% -21.08% 0.41% Deputy Staff Director $221,092 -0.24% 2.15% -5.62% -11.29% â â General Counsel $212,746 -3.64% -0.40% â â â â Minority Prof. Staff Member $103,657 -22.43% -26.79% -28.77% â -26.98% -37.51% Professional Staff Member $129,509 3.74% -1.17% 14.31% -2.50% -23.47% -13.77% Senior Counsel $162,317 -1.99% -6.09% -11.10% -27.72% â â Senior Professional Staff Mbr. $174,664 10.44% -5.23% 13.26% â -14.54% -20.34% Staff Assistant $69,910 -1.32% -7.86% 42.44% 2.28% 0.27% -11.10% Staff Director $228,032 1.97% 5.02% -4.07% -6.96% -14.68% -14.69% Subcommittee Staff Director $196,982 0.54% 15.18% 6.75% -14.57% -11.32% -8.54% Congressional Staff Positions Pay Change Summary Increase 6 4 7 2 1 2 Decrease 8 9 5 7 8 6 Members of Congress, General Schedule Pay Change MCs $178,746 -2.56% -15.83% -25.45% -30.13% -34.04% -34.03% General Schedule, DC Varies -0.40% -2.12% -2.45% -5.38% -2.39% 4.93% General Schedule, RUS Varies -0.70% -3.74% -6.96% -10.01% -10.91% -6.12% Source: CRS calculations, based on data provided in Table 3 - Table 16 for congressional positions; CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables , for Members of Congress; and the Office of Personnel Management for federal civilian workers in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas and rest of the U.S. localities, various years. Nominal Member pay in 2026 is $174,000. General Schedule pay for individuals varies by grade, step, and locality, but percentage changes are consistent within each locality. "â" indicates no data available. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 3. Chief Clerk Nominal, Current $ Constant, 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2024 6 $70,000 $84,910 $142,065 $162,373 $212,100 $133,538 $73,801 $89,521 $149,780 $171,191 $223,618 $140,790 2025 4 $127,500 $149,931 $166,204 $183,808 $210,233 $167,535 $130,124 $153,017 $169,625 $187,592 $214,561 $170,984 Change 2024-2025 13.25% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations, In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. "â" indicates no data available. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 4. Chief Counsel Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 4 $114,529 $116,473 $119,093 $122,329 $126,123 $119,709 $213,876 $217,506 $222,399 $228,443 $235,527 $223,550 2006 8 $131,188 $140,679 $152,250 $158,147 $161,997 $149,070 $215,213 $230,784 $249,765 $259,440 $265,755 $244,549 2011 7 $156,400 $159,130 $160,188 $167,344 $170,696 $162,890 $229,952 $233,966 $235,522 $246,044 $250,971 $239,495 2016 10 $138,500 $148,350 $160,089 $164,061 $172,500 $157,102 $190,850 $204,422 $220,599 $226,072 $237,701 $216,483 Most Recent Five Years 2021 6 $169,911 $171,915 $174,748 $176,179 $179,600 $174,439 $207,379 $209,826 $213,283 $215,029 $219,205 $212,906 2022 12 $155,000 $174,500 $181,425 $187,557 $195,042 $179,469 $175,163 $197,199 $205,025 $211,955 $220,413 $202,815 2023 10 $170,000 $182,803 $183,437 $193,558 $199,889 $185,732 $184,518 $198,415 $199,103 $210,089 $216,960 $201,593 2024 10 $181,989 $186,166 $191,000 $200,681 $208,058 $193,426 $191,872 $196,276 $201,372 $211,579 $219,357 $203,930 2025 5 $183,169 $193,000 $193,626 $202,558 $221,242 $198,719 $186,939 $196,972 $197,611 $206,727 $225,795 $202,809 Change 2024-2025 -1.87% 2021-2025 -7.35% 2016-2025 -10.42% 2011-2025 -16.10% 2006-2025 -20.88% 2001-2025 -11.15% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 5. Clerk Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2016 8 $35,250 $46,750 $62,500 $148,049 $170,696 $91,643 $48,574 $64,420 $86,123 $204,008 $235,215 $126,282 Most Recent Five Years 2021 8 $48,750 $67,313 $82,417 $107,904 $176,617 $96,883 $59,500 $82,156 $100,591 $131,699 $215,564 $118,248 2022 11 $54,400 $80,650 $92,971 $112,897 $207,963 $109,133 $61,476 $91,141 $105,065 $127,582 $235,015 $123,330 2023 â â â â â â â â â â â â â 2024 10 $68,072 $81,938 $119,167 $153,940 $205,333 $125,025 $71,769 $86,387 $125,638 $162,300 $216,484 $131,815 2025 6 $58,603 $82,500 $95,000 $136,958 $201,652 $113,255 $59,809 $84,198 $96,955 $139,777 $205,803 $115,587 Change 2024-2025 -22.83% 2021-2025 -3.61% 2016-2025 12.58% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 6. Communications Director Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2006 5 $56,250 $93,074 $115,647 $131,109 $154,083 $111,987 $92,278 $152,688 $189,718 $215,084 $252,772 $183,714 2011 8 $79,356 $95,375 $103,197 $116,706 $133,889 $106,634 $116,675 $140,228 $151,729 $171,590 $196,855 $156,782 2016 20 $91,000 $104,050 $126,000 $147,813 $168,411 $129,035 $125,396 $143,378 $173,625 $203,682 $232,066 $177,808 Most Recent Five Years 2021 15 $107,000 $127,980 $141,875 $151,439 $170,000 $139,047 $130,595 $156,202 $173,161 $184,835 $207,488 $169,710 2022 15 $105,683 $140,792 $157,100 $164,313 $182,667 $152,821 $119,431 $159,106 $177,536 $185,687 $206,428 $172,701 2023 13 $109,695 $155,428 $167,492 $185,900 $199,889 $167,162 $119,063 $168,702 $181,796 $201,776 $216,960 $181,438 2024 21 $116,000 $144,200 $165,000 $174,627 $206,033 $163,220 $122,299 $152,031 $173,960 $184,110 $217,222 $172,084 2025 15 $137,587 $156,342 $175,132 $186,210 $217,950 $174,595 $140,419 $159,559 $178,736 $190,043 $222,436 $178,189 Change 2024-2025 2.75% 2021-2025 3.22% 2016-2025 2.94% 2011-2025 17.80% 2006-2025 -5.79% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 7. Counsel Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 16 $45,930 $62,958 $79,848 $94,407 $139,559 $82,257 $85,772 $117,571 $149,112 $176,300 $260,618 $153,611 2006 19 $56,250 $93,074 $115,647 $131,109 $154,083 $111,987 $92,278 $152,688 $189,718 $215,084 $252,772 $183,714 2011 10 $89,333 $99,290 $113,347 $121,114 $142,015 $112,227 $131,345 $145,984 $166,652 $178,071 $208,803 $165,006 2016 22 $47,500 $75,533 $97,542 $118,788 $145,833 $98,638 $65,454 $104,083 $134,410 $163,686 $200,955 $135,921 Most Recent Five Years 2021 19 $76,305 $91,201 $125,000 $130,000 $145,000 $114,291 $93,132 $111,312 $152,565 $158,668 $176,975 $139,494 2022 24 $67,500 $113,672 $134,854 $145,198 $187,139 $132,735 $76,281 $128,458 $152,396 $164,086 $211,482 $150,002 2023 11 $101,663 $106,444 $131,083 $142,403 $186,773 $129,881 $110,345 $115,534 $142,278 $154,564 $202,724 $140,973 2024 19 $77,000 $133,131 $144,417 $154,973 $190,000 $141,269 $81,182 $140,360 $152,259 $163,389 $200,318 $148,940 2025 14 $94,398 $141,687 $146,699 $159,532 $200,806 $148,203 $96,341 $144,604 $149,718 $162,815 $204,939 $151,254 Change 2024-2025 -1.67% 2021-2025 -1.87% 2016-2025 11.39% 2011-2025 -10.16% 2006-2025 -21.08% 2001-2025 0.41% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 8. Deputy Staff Director Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2011 6 $80,000 $154,584 $169,516 $170,696 $172,500 $152,038 $117,623 $227,282 $249,236 $250,971 $253,624 $223,539 2016 14 $116,000 $153,281 $170,000 $170,696 $172,500 $160,276 $159,845 $211,218 $234,256 $235,215 $237,701 $220,856 Most Recent Five Years 2021 5 $161,158 $173,411 $177,325 $183,900 $184,483 $176,056 $196,697 $211,651 $216,429 $224,453 $225,165 $214,879 2022 12 $165,000 $183,435 $189,428 $199,367 $208,583 $188,697 $186,463 $207,296 $214,069 $225,301 $235,716 $213,243 2023 10 $151,804 $204,165 $207,779 $211,365 $212,100 $201,366 $164,768 $221,601 $225,524 $229,416 $230,214 $218,563 2024 19 $76,333 $201,947 $210,208 $212,100 $212,100 $198,548 $80,479 $212,914 $221,624 $223,618 $223,618 $209,330 2025 11 $153,150 $206,900 $216,633 $224,000 $225,700 $207,415 $156,302 $211,159 $221,092 $228,611 $230,346 $211,684 Change 2024-2025 -0.24% 2021-2025 2.15% 2016-2025 -5.62% 2011-2025 -11.29% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 9. General Counsel Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2021 7 $169,000 $173,764 $175,000 $178,948 $184,483 $176,272 $206,268 $212,082 $213,591 $218,410 $225,165 $215,144 2022 9 $117,578 $184,167 $185,889 $195,951 $202,233 $182,467 $132,873 $208,123 $210,070 $221,441 $228,540 $206,203 2023 6 $180,250 $188,480 $190,871 $194,904 $202,793 $191,453 $195,644 $204,577 $207,171 $211,549 $220,112 $207,803 2024 5 $194,033 $201,050 $209,402 $209,402 $212,100 $205,197 $204,570 $211,968 $220,774 $220,774 $223,618 $216,341 2025 7 $135,132 $200,317 $208,456 $218,037 $219,350 $199,949 $137,913 $204,440 $212,746 $222,525 $223,865 $204,065 Change 2024-2025 -3.64% 2021-2025 -0.40% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 10. Minority Professional Staff Member Nominal, Current $ Constant, 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 13 $73,667 $83,724 $88,827 $107,333 $139,559 $95,925 $137,568 $156,351 $165,880 $200,439 $260,618 $179,134 2006 13 $77,333 $79,140 $86,530 $91,687 $95,000 $85,913 $126,865 $129,829 $141,952 $150,413 $155,847 $140,940 2011 â â â â â â â â â â â â â 2016 6 $56,069 $93,250 $105,601 $111,800 $114,000 $97,378 $77,262 $128,496 $145,515 $154,058 $157,089 $134,185 Most Recent Five Years 2021 5 $106,250 $115,844 $116,010 $116,250 $157,906 $122,452 $129,680 $141,389 $141,592 $141,885 $192,727 $149,455 2022 8 $67,556 $102,083 $123,500 $162,948 $171,250 $124,740 $76,343 $115,362 $139,565 $184,144 $193,526 $140,967 2023 â â â â â â â â â â â â â 2024 6 $105,000 $125,187 $126,750 $139,000 $145,000 $128,542 $110,702 $131,986 $133,633 $146,548 $152,874 $135,522 2025 5 $91,652 $99,900 $101,567 $122,437 $133,808 $109,873 $93,538 $101,956 $103,657 $124,957 $136,562 $112,134 Change 2024-2025 -22.43% 2021-2025 -26.79% 2016-2025 -28.77% 2011-2025 â 2006-2025 -26.98% 2001-2025 -37.51% Dollars in figures are in thousands . Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. "â" indicates no data available. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 11. Professional Staff Member Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 24 $45,930 $74,404 $80,423 $90,000 $140,865 $79,533 $85,772 $138,945 $150,186 $168,070 $263,057 $148,523 2006 29 $40,833 $77,500 $103,161 $120,000 $157,013 $100,719 $66,987 $127,138 $169,235 $196,860 $257,579 $165,229 2011 22 $49,000 $73,167 $90,344 $118,419 $142,000 $94,787 $72,044 $107,576 $132,832 $174,109 $208,780 $139,363 2016 31 $47,500 $69,267 $82,222 $116,380 $172,500 $93,321 $65,454 $95,448 $113,300 $160,368 $237,701 $128,594 Most Recent Five Years 2021 31 $67,167 $94,461 $107,363 $142,919 $172,778 $116,123 $81,978 $115,292 $131,038 $174,435 $210,879 $141,730 2022 33 $86,525 $107,467 $126,250 $137,856 $197,074 $129,449 $97,780 $121,446 $142,673 $155,788 $222,710 $146,288 2023 23 $72,826 $108,074 $124,083 $154,549 $186,680 $129,224 $79,046 $117,303 $134,680 $167,747 $202,622 $140,260 2024 26 $75,000 $107,661 $118,404 $136,125 $186,333 $123,803 $79,073 $113,508 $124,834 $143,517 $196,452 $130,526 2025 37 $76,692 $105,245 $126,897 $148,667 $185,000 $128,787 $78,270 $107,411 $129,509 $151,727 $188,808 $131,438 Change 2024-2025 3.74% 2021-2025 -1.17% 2016-2025 14.31% 2011-2025 -2.50% 2006-2025 -23.47% 2001-2025 -13.77% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations, In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. "â" indicates no data available. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 12. Senior Counsel Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2011 5 $128,242 $141,303 $152,735 $156,878 $158,069 $147,445 $188,552 $207,755 $224,564 $230,655 $232,405 $216,786 2016 13 $105,200 $120,000 $132,500 $150,804 $170,696 $135,692 $144,963 $165,357 $182,582 $207,804 $235,215 $186,980 Most Recent Five Years 2021 8 $109,000 $125,789 $141,621 $157,096 $163,465 $139,809 $133,037 $153,527 $172,851 $191,738 $199,512 $170,640 2022 6 $111,234 $133,950 $148,300 $148,325 $160,673 $141,001 $125,704 $151,374 $167,591 $167,619 $181,573 $159,343 2023 10 $127,500 $135,220 $139,208 $162,746 $198,742 $149,475 $138,389 $146,768 $151,097 $176,645 $215,715 $162,240 2024 10 $140,000 $146,252 $157,089 $184,808 $202,850 $164,511 $147,603 $154,194 $165,620 $194,844 $213,866 $173,445 2025 10 $114,804 $139,250 $159,043 $181,787 $194,833 $158,532 $117,167 $142,116 $162,317 $185,529 $198,844 $161,795 Change 2024-2025 -1.99% 2021-2025 -6.09% 2016-2025 -11.10% 2011-2025 -27.72% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 13. Senior Professional Staff Member Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 6 $73,169 $99,137 $117,411 $123,874 $125,123 $108,698 $136,639 $185,133 $219,258 $231,327 $233,659 $202,987 2006 5 $76,000 $103,000 $124,581 $140,768 $151,225 $119,115 $124,678 $168,971 $204,374 $230,930 $248,084 $195,407 2011 â â â â â â â â â â â â â 2016 11 $55,000 $99,920 $111,918 $128,277 $166,917 $113,685 $75,789 $137,687 $154,220 $176,762 $230,007 $156,655 Most Recent Five Years 2021 9 $84,500 $148,500 $151,000 $168,067 $179,935 $149,849 $103,134 $181,247 $184,298 $205,129 $219,614 $182,893 2022 15 $104,167 $132,114 $158,800 $187,469 $194,761 $158,831 $117,717 $149,300 $179,457 $211,856 $220,096 $179,493 2023 8 $111,189 $149,561 $163,829 $180,802 $211,501 $164,583 $120,685 $162,334 $177,820 $196,243 $229,564 $178,639 2024 21 $110,000 $136,500 $150,000 $175,726 $186,333 $155,510 $115,974 $143,913 $158,146 $185,269 $196,452 $163,955 2025 14 $129,817 $145,042 $171,141 $179,673 $225,700 $167,278 $132,489 $148,027 $174,664 $183,371 $230,346 $170,721 Change 2024-2025 10.44% 2021-2025 -5.23% 2016-2025 13.26% 2011-2025 â 2006-2025 -14.54% 2001-2025 -20.34% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 14. Staff Assistant Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 20 $25,750 $33,314 $42,111 $65,763 $124,500 $54,489 $48,087 $62,213 $78,640 $122,808 $232,497 $101,755 2006 19 $29,417 $37,159 $42,500 $64,213 $161,997 $59,980 $48,258 $60,959 $69,721 $105,340 $265,755 $98,397 2011 12 $30,000 $39,734 $46,491 $66,699 $153,000 $63,876 $44,108 $58,420 $68,354 $98,066 $224,953 $93,916 2016 11 $27,600 $34,633 $35,618 $57,038 $168,411 $62,532 $38,032 $47,724 $49,080 $78,596 $232,066 $86,167 Most Recent Five Years 2021 5 $57,561 $57,600 $62,167 $65,000 $75,404 $63,546 $70,254 $70,302 $75,876 $79,334 $92,032 $77,559 2022 5 $49,167 $58,167 $62,333 $71,633 $77,755 $47,644 $55,562 $65,733 $70,442 $80,951 $87,869 $53,841 2023 4 $56,208 $58,365 $65,207 $71,582 $72,333 $64,739 $61,009 $63,349 $70,776 $77,695 $78,511 $70,268 2024 7 $62,088 $63,792 $67,196 $80,112 $87,047 $72,020 $65,459 $67,256 $70,845 $84,463 $91,774 $75,931 2025 7 $47,500 $56,250 $68,500 $71,000 $81,697 $64,600 $48,478 $57,408 $69,910 $72,461 $83,378 $65,929 Change 2024-2025 -1.32% 2021-2025 -7.86% 2016-2025 42.44% 2011-2025 2.28% 2006-2025 0.27% 2001-2025 -11.10% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. "â" indicates no data available. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 15. Staff Director Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 5 $109,270 $142,467 $143,133 $143,579 $143,600 $136,410 $204,055 $266,048 $267,293 $268,125 $268,165 $254,737 2006 10 $134,000 $145,637 $162,916 $163,700 $163,700 $154,948 $219,826 $238,917 $267,264 $268,549 $268,549 $254,192 2011 8 $165,006 $145,481 $166,696 $172,500 $172,500 $155,248 $242,605 $213,898 $245,090 $253,624 $253,624 $228,258 2016 20 $136,000 $167,614 $172,500 $172,500 $172,500 $167,253 $187,405 $230,968 $237,701 $237,701 $237,701 $230,470 Most Recent Five Years 2021 13 $142,933 $173,411 $177,900 $184,483 $184,483 $175,914 $174,453 $211,651 $217,130 $225,165 $225,165 $214,707 2022 19 $173,925 $188,883 $198,241 $201,867 $202,233 $194,150 $196,549 $213,454 $224,029 $228,126 $228,540 $219,406 2023 10 $179,387 $204,675 $208,844 $212,053 $212,100 $205,833 $194,707 $222,155 $226,680 $230,163 $230,214 $223,412 2024 26 $148,833 $199,431 $212,100 $212,100 $212,100 $203,813 $156,916 $210,261 $223,618 $223,618 $223,618 $214,882 2025 17 $174,167 $203,619 $223,433 $225,700 $225,700 $215,543 $177,752 $207,810 $228,032 $230,346 $230,346 $219,980 Change 2024-2025 1.97% 2021-2025 5.02% 2016-2025 -4.07% 2011-2025 -6.96% 2006-2025 -14.68% 2001-2025 -14.69% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. Table 16. Subcommittee Staff Director Nominal, Current $ Constant 2026 $ Year # Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average Minimum Q1 Q2, Median Q3 Maximum Average 2001 8 $64,694 $100,494 $115,331 $122,515 $134,891 $108,922 $120,813 $187,667 $215,373 $228,790 $251,902 $203,405 2006 14 $91,761 $131,415 $135,406 $151,311 $161,745 $138,231 $150,534 $215,586 $222,133 $248,225 $265,342 $226,768 2011 6 $106,500 $139,111 $156,823 $167,553 $168,411 $148,816 $156,585 $204,532 $230,574 $246,351 $247,612 $218,801 2016 12 $110,000 $128,000 $133,917 $160,175 $168,411 $140,225 $151,577 $176,381 $184,534 $220,717 $232,066 $193,226 Most Recent Five Years 2021 8 $123,000 $131,204 $140,125 $148,458 $173,411 $141,712 $150,124 $160,137 $171,025 $181,196 $211,651 $172,963 2022 13 $99,750 $137,200 $154,667 $172,367 $193,752 $152,140 $112,726 $155,047 $174,786 $194,788 $218,956 $171,931 2023 10 $156,304 $172,480 $187,934 $195,425 $200,000 $183,287 $169,653 $187,210 $203,984 $212,114 $217,080 $198,940 2024 20 $131,025 $171,704 $185,824 $197,338 $204,000 $180,775 $138,140 $181,029 $195,916 $208,055 $215,078 $190,592 2025 10 $133,169 $162,787 $193,009 $198,438 $208,567 $180,736 $135,910 $166,138 $196,982 $202,522 $212,860 $184,456 Change 2024-2025 0.54% 2021-2025 15.18% 2016-2025 6.75% 2011-2025 -14.57% 2006-2025 -11.32% 2001-2025 -8.54% Dollars in figures are in thousands. Source: Statement of Disbursements of the House , as collated by LegiStorm, various years, and CRS calculations. Percentage change is based on change in median pay for the periods noted. In the visualizations, position pay information based on 2026 dollars in thousands of dollars, or change in those levels, is presented in solid teal. 2026 dollars are based on Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the first half of 2026. A number of CRS staff made substantial contributions to this report. William T. Egar, former Analyst in American National Government, provided technical assistance and authored a section of the report. Sandra L. Edwards, User Support Specialist, and Andrew M. Schaefer, Editor, provided formatting, editorial, and production support. Previous versions of the report were supported by the following. Tyler L. Wolanin, former Research Assistant, collected data and was a coauthor. Barbara L. Schwemle, Analyst in American National Government, provided technical assistance. Casey Burgat, former Research Assistant, provided update support. Jonathan P. Kardashian, User Support Specialist, Michael M. McCarthy, Editor, Claudia Guidi, formerly a User Support Specialist, and Alex Marine, former Editor, provided formatting, editorial, and production support. Jacobo Licona, Brian Hamel, Joe Wisniewski, and Claire Laurence, former CRS interns, collected data for this report. Footnotes 1 . Effective January 17, 2025, the maximum annual pay for House staff, a figure that has increased over time, is the equivalent of Level II of the Executive Schedule, $228,000 for 2026 . A minimum salary of $45,000 per year was also established. See Order of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, January 17, 2025 , set out as a note following 2 U.S.C. 4532. Maximum payable rates for House committee staff since 2001 are available in Table 1 . 2 . In this report, pay refers to monies paid by the House to staff, and excludes other components of total compensation, which might include paid leave or employer contributions to various insurance and retirement benefits. 3 . Volumes of the Statement of Disbursements since July 2009 are available at http://disbursements.house.gov/ . 4 . http://www.legistorm.com/ . 5 . Positions that typically employ one staff member per committee include communications director, deputy staff director, and staff director. 6 . Positions that typically employ two or more staff members per committee include counsel, staff assistant, and professional staff member. 7 . 2026 CPI-U based on the first half of the year.