Salaries of members of the United States Congress
| Year | Salary | Per diem/annum |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | $50 | per annum |
| 1795 | $1 | per diem only Representatives |
| $7 | per diem only Senators | |
| 1796 | $6 | per diem |
How were the original Senators and Representatives paid?
In 1789 Congress decided to pay senators and representatives $6 for each day they attended a session. Before long, senators insisted that they deserved a higher rate of pay than House members.
What was the salary for Congress in 2009?
Senate Salaries (1789 to Present)
| Years | Salary |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $169,300 per annum |
| 2009 | $174,000 per annum |
| 2010 | $174,000 per annum |
| 2011 | $174,000 per annum |
What was the salary of a US Senator in 1789?
From a stipend of six dollars a day in 1789 to a much more robust salary of $174,000 in 2009, this chart shows how compensation for U.S. senators has evolved over time. NOTE: Since the early 1980s, Senate leaders—majority and minority leaders, and the president pro tempore —have received slightly higher salaries than other members.
What’s the salary of the US House of Representatives?
As of 2019, the base salary for all rank-and-file members of the U.S. House and Senate was $174,000 per year, plus benefits. Salaries have not been increased since 2009.
How much did Congress get paid per day?
The committee reported in favor of six dollars a day for Senators and Representatives and double that amount for the Speaker of the House. The flood-gates of oratory were opened wide. The press ridiculed and stormed by turns.
How much does the average state representative in Virginia make?
In Virginia, the average state representative earns $26,100. Danica Roem is pictured. US senators and representatives are paid vastly different salaries across state lines.
