Will SC increase the salaries for the next governor and lieutenant governor?
For the first time since 1994, the pay for the next South Carolina governor could increase.
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow for a pay increase for the next governor and lieutenant governor by permitting a panel that includes the House speaker, Senate president, both chambers’ budget chairman to determine the salary for the state’s top two elected officials.
Currently, Gov. Henry McMaster earns $106,000 a year. Lieutenant Gov. Pamela Evette earns $46,500.
Under the legislation in the House, the Agency Head Salary Commission also would have to conduct a study every four years to come up with a salary range for both roles based on job duties and responsibilities, and based on the pay for governors and lieutenant governors in other states.
Any raises for the job would go into effect in 2027 for the next governor and lieutenant governor. The pay for governor has been the same since 1994.
That commission in late 2022 began setting the pay for the other statewide elected state officials. Pay for the attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, comptroller-general, superintendent of education and commissioner of agriculture all were increased from $92,000. The move was meant to attract higher quality candidates to seek office.
But in 2022, the legislation did not include the governor and lieutenant governor to keep McMaster from signing a bill that would have led to him receiving a pay raise.
Pay for agency department heads has been increased in recent years to remain competitive with other states.
“If all of our other agency heads have salaries determined by a salary commission, then there is sentiment that the governor and lieutenant governor ought to have that option as well,” said state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg.
