Connecticut Lawmaker Salaries: 58 Years of Pay History

The Connecticut General Assembly is gearing up for a rare special session. Lawmakers plan to tackle some tough issues—housing challenges, worries about losing federal funding, a proposed UConn Health hospital purchase, and new measures to protect immigrants.

But lately, a new report has shifted some of the public’s attention. People are now talking about how Connecticut lawmakers get paid, how their salaries have changed over the years, and what rules control those paychecks.

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Connecticut’s Legislative Salaries: A Historical Perspective

The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) put together a detailed look at legislative pay. The story stretches back 58 years.

In 1967, General Assembly members earned just $3,250 a year. Now, rank-and-file lawmakers make $43,600 annually.

The General Assembly itself decides these salaries, following rules set in Connecticut General Statutes (CGS § 2‑8).

Leadership Pay and Special Compensation

Legislative leaders—like committee chairs, caucus leaders, and top officials—bring home higher pay. Statute spells out these extra salaries, just like the base pay.

On top of that, lawmakers get reimbursements to help cover work-related costs: $4,500 for House members and $5,500 for senators. There’s also a mileage allowance for trips to and from the Capitol.

Changes in Salary Structure Over Time

Legislator pay has changed a lot since the ’60s. Between 1967 and 1972, pay was set per term.

From 1973 to 1982, the amount depended on whether it was a longer odd-year session or a shorter even-year session. Since 1973, lawmakers have collected annual salaries instead of session-based pay.

Future Adjustments Linked to Inflation

Starting in 2025, legislative salaries will track inflation and get recalculated every two years. The adjustment will follow the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Cost Index for civilian wages over the previous 24 months.

This setup means salaries shift with broader wage trends, and lawmakers won’t need to vote themselves raises in the middle of a term.

Connecticut Constitutional Protections

The state constitution sets a clear limit: No salary bump can kick in during a legislator’s current term. That rule is supposed to prevent self-serving pay hikes and keep public trust intact.

Impact Across the State

These pay rules don’t just matter in Hartford. Lawmakers from all over Connecticut—Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury—work under these policies.

Representatives from smaller spots like Middletown, Stamford, and New Britain see the same structure shaping their pay.

Why the Special Session Matters

This special session isn’t just about pay. Lawmakers face a packed agenda:

Housing affordability and zoning reforms—Connecticut cities and towns need more options.
Federal funding risks that could disrupt important programs statewide.
UConn Health’s proposed hospital purchase, which could shake up medical care in some regions.
Immigrant protections—communities in Bridgeport and New Haven want stronger safeguards.

The OLR report landed right as lawmakers get ready to make some big decisions. Folks in Norwich, Stamford, and elsewhere are probably watching to see not just what laws pass, but what lawmakers take home for their service.

Looking Ahead

Inflation-linked salary changes are on the horizon. Lawmakers also keep pushing for legislative travel reimbursements.

They have to juggle public perception and figure out what fair compensation really means. Connecticut’s lawmakers aren’t exactly in an easy spot.

As the General Assembly meets in Hartford for the special session, people are watching both their policy work and the rules that set their pay. There’s a lot of attention on how all this plays out.

For folks across the state — whether you’re in Danbury or New Britain — knowing these rules helps take some of the mystery out of government. Even if it’s called a part-time legislature, the workload and responsibility sure feel like a full-time job sometimes.

Here is the source article for this story: A report was done on CT lawmaker salaries. See how much they earned over last 58 years.

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