House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to increase minimum salary for House staffers to $45,000

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday morning that for the first time there would be a minimum salary of $45,000 annually for House aides. 

“With a competitive minimum salary, the House will better be able to retain and recruit excellent, diverse talent. Doing so will open the doors to public service for those who may not have been able to afford to do so in the past,” Pelosi wrote in a “dear colleague” letter. “This is also an issue of fairness, as many of the youngest staffers working the longest hours often earn the lowest salaries.”

Pelosi announced two steps: Raising the minimum and maximum wages as well as recognizing the staff’s right to unionize.

As of Sept. 1st, House staff members will receive a minimum annual salary of $45,000. The maximum annual pay rate has been increased to $203,700, up from $199,300. Currently, many congressional staffers are earning less than $42,610.

“This is also an issue of fairness, as many of the youngest staffers working the longest hours often earn the lowest salaries,” she said. 

A recent study conducted by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association found that 47% of congressional staffers surveyed “find themselves struggling to pay bills or make ends meet.” 

More than a third of respondents said they have a second job in order to supplement their income, and nearly 40% said they “have taken out debt to make ends meet.”

The pay adjustment will be covered in the 21% increase in member representational allowance for each office approved in March.

“It is highly encouraged that Members use this MRA ( Members Representationtational Allowance) increase to honor the committed work of your staff members.” 

Pelosi also revealed that the House will vote next week on Rep. Andy Levin’s (D-MI) resolution to recognize congressional staffers’ right to organize. 

“When the House passes this resolution, we will pave the way for staffers to join in union, if they so choose,” she wrote. “Congressional staffers deserve the same fundamental rights and protections as workers all across the country, including the right to bargain collectively.”