Senator Salaries and Benefits
As of 2019, the annual salary of each senator is $174,000, with senate leadership earning up to $223,500 per year. Approximately 40% of senators are millionaires.
Along with earning salaries, senators receive retirement and health benefits that are identical to other federal employees, and are fully vested after five years of service. In 2006, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives was between $35,952 and $60,972.
From 1789 to 1855, members of Congress only received a daily payment of $6.00 while in session. In 1855, members began receiving an annual salary of $3,000.