Representatives and Senators Compensation, Benefits, & Allowances 2025 WoW!

My attempt to highlight some of the interesting information that may not be commonly known.

Source https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL30064

Compensation, Benefits, Allowances, and Selected Limitations

The compensation for most Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico is $174,000.
The only exceptions include the Speaker of the House (salary of $223,500) and the President pro tempore of the Senate and the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate (salary of $193,400)

Outside Earned Income Limits

 limited to 15% of the annual rate of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule. According to the House Ethics Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee, the 2025 limit is $33,285

Health and Life Insurance Provisions

Prior to the enactment of Section 1312(d)(3)(D) of P.L. 111-148, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Members were eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB).
P.L. 111-148 states that the only health plans available to Members of Congress and certain congressional staff are those plans created under the act or offered through an exchange established under the act. Pursuant to the regulations implementing this section, effective January 1, 2014, Members may elect to be covered through the DC Health Link.11
In addition, the Office of the Attending Physician provides emergency medical assistance for Members of Congress, Justices of the Supreme Court, staff, and visitors. Additional services are offered to Members who choose to enroll for an annual fee ($650.00 in 2025).12 The office is led by a medical officer from the U.S. Navy, a tradition begun in 1928.13
Members also are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program. The amount of coverage for personal insurance is determined by a formula based on the coverage elected.

The Members' Representational Allowance (MRA): Supporting Personnel, Office Expenses, Travel to the District, and Mail for Members of the House

MRAs since 2023 have ranged from $1,849,149 to $2,088,499, with an average of $1,928,107

The Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA): Supporting Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail for U.S. Senators

The Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA) is available to assist Senators in their official and representational duties.37
The allowance is provided for the fiscal year. The annual Senate Appropriations Committee reports include a table with recommended SOPOEA levels for the Senators from each state. The report generally states, "It should also be noted that the figures in the following table are preliminary, and that official notification of member budgets is issued by the Financial Clerk of the Senate after enactment of this bill."

• The Senate Appropriations Committee report accompanying the FY2025 legislative branch appropriations bill (S. 4678, S.Rept. 118-192) showed a range of $4,209,326 to $6,495,333, with an average of $4,567,588.38

• The Senate Appropriations Committee report accompanying the FY2026 legislative branch appropriations bill (S. 2257, S.Rept. 119-38) shows a range of $4,296,524 to $6,621,784, with an average of $4,664,423.39

Other Allowances

Office Space in States, Including Mobile Office Space

Each Senator is authorized home state office space in federal buildings. In the event suitable office space is not available in a federal building, other office space may be secured. The cost of private space is not to exceed the highest rate per square foot charged by the General Services Administration (GSA).42 The aggregate square footage of office space that can be secured for a Senator ranges from 5,000 square feet, if the population of the state is less than 3 million, to 8,200 square feet, if the state's population is 17 million or more.43 There is no restriction on the number of offices.
Each Senator may lease one mobile office for use only in the state he or she represents, subject to limitations on the terms of the lease, the maximum annual rental payment, and reimbursable operating costs. No payment may be made for expenses incurred during the 60 days preceding a contested election.

Furniture and Furnishings in State Offices

Each Senator is authorized home state office space in federal buildings. In the event suitable office space is not available in a federal building, other office space may be secured. The cost of private space is not to exceed the highest rate per square foot charged by the General Services Administration (GSA).42 The aggregate square footage of office space that can be secured for a Senator ranges from 5,000 square feet, if the population of the state is less than 3 million, to 8,200 square feet, if the state's population is 17 million or more.43 There is no restriction on the number of offices.
Each Senator may lease one mobile office for use only in the state he or she represents, subject to limitations on the terms of the lease, the maximum annual rental payment, and reimbursable operating costs. No payment may be made for expenses incurred during the 60 days preceding a contested election.

Compensation of Members and Maximum Rates of Compensation for Staff

Maximum Rate for House and Senate Staff: Initial Change in 2020

A general provision in Division E (legislative branch) of the act increased the maximum annual salary for certain categories of congressional staff to $173,900.

the 2025 Order of the Speaker (January 17, 2025) increased this ceiling to make it "equal to the annual rate of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule," which is $225,700 in 2025

Subsequent Changes to Senate Staff Maximum Rates of Pay

Table 1. Members and House Staff Maximum Salaries in 2025
Speaker of the House $223,500 per annum
Majority and Minority Leaders $193,400 per annum
All other Representatives (including Delegates and Resident Commissioner From Puerto Rico) $174,000 per annum
Maximum rate for all House staff $225,700 per annum

Table 2. Senators and Senate Staff Maximum Salaries in 2025
President pro tempore $193,400 per annuma
Majority and Minority Leaders $193,400 per annum
All other Senators $174,000 per annum
Maximum rate for all Senate staff $225,700 per annum