TRENTON, N.J. – Mikie Sherrill has made affordability the cornerstone of her platform as governor of New Jersey, but on day one, she is presiding over major toll hikes and an increase to the state’s gas tax. That’s not all. She’s also going to be the highest paid governor of the Garden State.
When Sherrill takes office in January, she will become the highest-paid governor in New Jersey history, earning $210,000 a year under a salary increase approved by lawmakers nearly two years earlier.
The pay raise, established under legislation A5910/S4266 passed in early 2024, boosts the governor’s salary from $175,000 to $210,000 annually — the first increase since the early 2000s. The measure, which takes effect after Governor Phil Murphy leaves office, also includes raises for state legislators, cabinet members, and other top officials.
Lawmakers’ salaries will rise to $82,000 per year, while cabinet officers and senior appointees will also see higher pay. Supporters said the changes were necessary to keep salaries competitive and attract qualified candidates to state government positions.
The bill, approved by the Democrat-led Legislature, was structured so that no sitting officials would benefit immediately, a move intended to prevent conflicts of interest.
Governor-elect Sherrill, who has emphasized affordability and cost-of-living issues throughout her campaign, will inherit the pay raise as part of the standard compensation package for the state’s chief executive.