News Summary
The salaries of Georgia’s highest-ranking government officials have been announced, with Griffith Lynch earning the most at over $1.3 million. Governor Brian Kemp’s proposed salary increase could place him among the highest-paid governors in the country. House Bill 86 aims to raise salaries for several state officials, addressing pay disparities in comparison to local roles. This proposal has sparked discussions among lawmakers regarding the implications of significant raises during an election year. The report also emphasizes the salaries of college athletics personnel in Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia – The salaries of Georgia’s top government officials have been released for the fiscal year 2024, revealing significant earnings for several key figures. The highest-paid public employee in the state is Griffith Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, who earned a staggering $1,385,671.50 along with $75,294.88 in travel reimbursements. Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp’s salary for the same period was $181,999.92, with an additional $29,884.69 in travel expenses. The release of these figures comes alongside a proposed legislative change that could see Governor Kemp’s salary increase significantly.
The proposed legislation, House Bill 86, aims to raise Governor Kemp’s salary to $250,000, a jump from his current pay of $182,000. This proposal has already passed through the Senate with a vote of 45-10 and awaits further approval from the House before the legislative session concludes on April 4. If it passes, Governor Kemp’s salary would rise from the 10th highest in the nation to tie for the 1st highest with New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul.
Other state officials would see their salaries rise as well under House Bill 86, with the Attorney General, state school superintendent, secretary of state, and various commissioners all set to receive salaries of $200,000. This legislation is aimed at addressing salary disparities among Georgia’s top executives, especially in comparison to local offices. For context, the average salary for secretaries of state across the nation was reported at $121,628 in 2022, while the average salary for state attorneys general was about $139,000.
The earnings for other officials in Georgia include Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones at $98,609.52 and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who earned $125,637.12 along with $1,957.01 in travel reimbursements. Attorney General Chris Carr’s salary stood at $146,169.12, supplemented by $9,458.11 for travel expenses. Within the state’s higher hand, insurance commissioner John King and state school superintendent Richard Woods earned $131,000, while House Speaker Jon Burns received $106,000.
This proposed salary increase has spurred a conversation among lawmakers, with some voicing concerns over implementing significant raises during an election year. Democratic Senator Kim Jackson has specifically highlighted issues regarding appropriating funds for such increases amidst political campaigns.
In an even broader context, the majority of the highest-paid state employees in Georgia are connected to college athletics, with University of Georgia (UGA) Head Football Coach Kirby Smart leading the way at over $8.6 million annually. The report states that nearly 200 state employees are earning more than $450,000 per year, a figure that exceeds the combined salary and expense allowance of the President of the United States.
Furthermore, the proposed House Bill 86 would not only affect executive salaries but also aligns the pay of Georgia’s Supreme Court and other state judges with that of federal district court judges, who currently make $247,400. These changes reflect an ongoing effort to standardize compensation for key public officials in Georgia, ensuring that state salaries remain competitive in comparison to those in other states and local administrative positions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Savannah Now: Georgia’s Top Paid Government Employees in 2024
- Wikipedia: Salary
- Augusta Chronicle: Highest Paid Georgia Government Employees in 2024
- Google Search: Georgia Government Employees Salaries
- Georgia Recorder: Georgia Senate Raises Governor’s Pay
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Government Salary
- WSB TV: Which Georgia State Employees Earned Most in 2024
- Google News: Georgia Government Salaries
- AP News: Georgia Governor and Officials’ Pay
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
