Ballotpedia report: Appointed officials hold top U.S. state salaries

A report curated by Ballotpedia regarding 2025 state executive salaries reveals that nine of the ten highest-paid state officials in the United States are appointed rather than elected. The highest-paid official identified is New York Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, earning $489,000. Other high earners include Maryland Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright at $361,000, Colorado Commissioner of Education Susanna Cordova at $334,099, and Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders at $323,420.

Among the top ten, Georgia Treasurer Steve McCoy is the only elected official, earning $329,000. In contrast, the report notes a significant disparity at the lower end of the pay scale, where eight of the ten lowest-paid officials are elected. The lowest-paid state executive listed is Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, with a salary of $7,113, followed by members of the Utah State Board of Education earning $10,529.