Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton’s annual salary of $120,300 puts him 31st on the list of highest-paid governors in the nation, according to a roundup by the Council of State Governments.
The Forum newspapers ran a story about the rankings, noting that North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple will make $116,999 in 2013, making him 35th on the list.
The council numbers show Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at 20th, with $144,423 per year.
The Forum story notes that the salary situation has evolved since 1980, when North Dakota Gov. Art Link was the nation’s lowest-paid governor, earning $27,500. Minnesota Gov. Al Quie made $62,000 that year, making him the eighth highest paid.
Top dollars these days go to governors in Pennsylvania and New York.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is authorized to get the top amount, $187,256 but has refused three cost-of-living raises so he actually receives about $175,000. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a $179,000 per year salary.
Lowest-paid governors are Maine Gov. Paul LePage, $70,000, and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, $86,890.
