Every member of the New York City Council earns a base salary of $148,500 per year. The figure applies equally to all 51 members and has not changed since 2016, though a bill introduced in February 2026 would raise it to $172,500.
What Every Member Earns
The $148,500 base is set by NYC Administrative Code § 3-204 and does not vary by district, committee assignment, or years in office. Council members are limited to two consecutive four-year terms, so eight years is the maximum continuous tenure before a member has to sit out at least one full term.
The Pending 2026 Raise
A bill introduced in February 2026 would push the base to $172,500, roughly a 16 percent increase. As of mid-2026 the bill was still in committee and had not been voted on.
The proposal came out of the Quadrennial Advisory Commission, a body required by NYC Administrative Code § 3-601 to convene every four years and review whether elected officials’ pay is appropriate.1New York City Administrative Code. New York City Administrative Code 3-601 – Quadrennial Advisory Commission for the Review of Compensation Levels of Elected Officials The commission holds public hearings and recommends figures; the Council then has to pass the raise as legislation in a public vote, so members cannot quietly bump their own pay.2Justia. New York City Administrative Code 3-601 – Quadrennial Advisory Commission For The Review Of Compensation Levels Of Elected Officials
Why the Speaker Earns More
The Speaker is the one rank-and-file exception. The Administrative Code allows officers of the Council to receive an additional allowance fixed by resolution, and the pending 2026 bill would set the Speaker’s salary at $191,000 against $172,500 for other members.
Beyond the Speaker, extra pay for leadership roles is gone. For decades, committee chairs and other leaders collected additional stipends known as “lulus,” short for “in lieu of” expenses. In 2016 the Council voted to eliminate them as part of a package that also made the job officially full-time.3New York City Council. Council to Vote on Legislative Reforms A chair appointment no longer comes with a direct financial reward.
Health, Pension, and Other Benefits
The salary is not the whole picture. Council members receive the general benefits package available to New York City employees.
Health Coverage
As of January 2026, active employees moved to the NYC Employees PPO plan, a premium-free health plan that replaced the prior GHI/BlueCross BlueShield arrangement. Dental and other supplemental benefits are available through the city’s health benefits program.
Pension
Council members participate in the New York City Employees’ Retirement System. Under Tier 6, a member vests after five years of credited service.4Office of the New York State Comptroller. Retirement Benefit Summary Tier 6 ERS Members also contribute toward the pension out of their own pay. At the $148,500 salary, the contribution rate is 6 percent, which comes out to roughly $8,910 a year deducted from the paycheck.5Office of the New York State Comptroller. Member Contributions
Because of the two-term limit, most members cap out at eight years, enough to vest but not enough to build a large pension on council service alone. Members who move into other city jobs can keep adding credited service in the same system.
Full-Time Rule and Outside Income
The 2016 reforms converted the council member role from technically part-time to full-time and banned most outside earned income.6New York City Council. Int 1069-2016 That covers private law practices, consulting work, corporate board seats, and similar professional income. Narrow exceptions exist for passive investment income and certain categories where the member’s personal services are not a material factor.
The Conflicts of Interest Board oversees compliance. If the Board finds a sitting member violated ethics rules, it issues an order with its findings and recommends a penalty to the Council itself rather than imposing a fine directly.7NYC.gov. Board Rules – COIB
Annual Financial Disclosure
Every council member files an annual financial disclosure report with the Conflicts of Interest Board under NYC Administrative Code § 12-110. The report covers positions held, outside business interests, spousal and dependent financial activity, and any dealings that could conflict with official duties.8New York City Administrative Code. New York City Administrative Code 12-110 – Annual Disclosure The public portion is available for anyone to review.9Conflicts of Interest Board. Annual Disclosure
Filing late without an extension carries a fine between $250 and $10,000. Not paying that fine is treated as an intentional violation, which is a misdemeanor and can trigger an additional civil penalty of up to $10,000.10NYC.gov. New York City’s Financial Disclosure Law: A Guide to Section 12-110 of the NYC Administrative Code