The State Legislature has 253 members, 50 Senators ; 203 members of the House of Representatives. It cost  approximately $312 million a year.  Pennsylvania’s Legislature is the second-largest in the nation. 

At $78,314, the annual salary for rank-and-file Pennsylvania lawmakers is the fourth-highest in the nation. The total cost for taxpayers to support each lawmaker runs higher — from $125,000 to $150,000 annually depending on lawmakers’ expenses.

Benefits

In addition to salary, House lawmakers receive an average $11,349 toward health insurance, an average $5,351 for prescription drugs with a co-pay, dental and vision benefits and a number of per-diem payments. Pensions and life and disability insurance benefits also count as individual benefits.

Support costs for House lawmakers include a $20,000 office expense account, a $7,800 vehicle expense reimbursement and $4,000 postage account. House lawmakers can use a car from the state government’s fleet of more than 16,000 or be reimbursed for driving their own cars.

Senators receive an average $13,791 toward health insurance and dental and vision benefits. Since 2007, senators pay 1 percent of their salary to participate in the health care plan. They receive per diems, pensions and life and long-term care insurance as well.

Support costs for senators, who have larger constituencies, include a $25,000 expense account and $26,500 postage account. They can use a state car or claim mileage, currently at 55 cents a mile.

Per Diem

House and Senate lawmakers can claim a $143 per diem to cover costs of lodging and meals. The per diem amount fluctuates annually based on federal guidelines. Estimates of total annual per-diem costs are in the $2 million range.

But wait there is more. Many lawmakers earn outside income.

Size, expense high

The cost to run the Legislature amounted to $25 for each Pennsylvania resident in 2007

Pennsylvania ranked second in 2007 for taxpayer dollars spent on the legislative branch — $312 million. California narrowly made first place with a $321 million legislative budget, even though it has a population three times the size of Pennsylvania’s.

Lawmakers are assisted by nearly 3,000 staffers.

Thirty-nine House employees were paid more than $100,000 last year, according to records. Thirty Senate employees were listed with salaries more than $100,000 as of Dec. 31.

Pennsylvania is one of nine states with a full-time legislature, and the staff supports that operation.

A full-time lawmaker, in states such as Pennsylvania spends an average 80 percent of a work week on the job and enjoys a ratio of nine staffers for each member, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

Full-time pay, Not Full Time Work

Despite the Legislature’s full-time status, Pennsylvania lawmakers don’t put in a five-day workweek at the Capitol. The Senate is scheduled to be in session 54 days scattered through the end of June; the House has scheduled 50 days.

Annual Automatic Cost of Living

The 253 lawmakers received a 2.8 percent automatic cost-of-living salary adjustment this year. The Legislature's automatic pay raise dates to 1995  [1]

Friday Mornings

11-11:45