Through city council meetings, passing city ordinances, and overseeing the performance of local public employees, city council members play a crucial role in shaping local governance and representing their constituents. The salary earned for this critical government role varies based on a number of factors. Read on to learn more about city official compensation, as well as the role of technology in improving the effectiveness of municipal offices and streamlining the work of council members.
How Much Does a City Council Member Make?
On average, a city council member can expect to make around $82,331 annually, according to Glassdoor. Some cities pay their officials salaries above $100,000, while others offer a salary of just under $50,000.
Smaller cities or wards elect city council members to serve as volunteers. While these people don’t earn any money for the job, the time commitment isn’t as significant as it can be in other areas. People who volunteer as city council members find rewards in participating in positive changes in their community and gaining experience.
Factors Influencing Council Member Compensation
Just as with any job, the conditions of a council position affect what kind of compensation to expect. The more you bring to the position, the better your chance of earning a good salary while you serve on the council. Here are some significant factors impact a salary:
1. Experience
Experience, whether through volunteer work, interning, or professional roles, all prove valuable to a city council. The more experience a council member has, the more likely they are to command a higher salary. Additionally, experienced council members may have developed strong networks and relationships within the community, further enhancing their effectiveness and influence, which can contribute to higher compensation.
2. Education
A council member with a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field, like political science, economics, or public administration, demonstrates their ability to handle the complexities involved in the work of governing a city. A good education equips council members with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions, propose and assess city laws, and understand and investigate various city departments. This typically leads to higher compensation.
3. Location
Even with exceptional qualifications, remote areas with small populations may not be able to compensate city council members. The pay range varies based on market size. A career politician may start out small before moving on to larger cities.
eScribe Powers Effective Municipalities
When a government agency, standing committee, or department has the right tools to be more effective and efficient, it saves money, gets more done, and becomes a powerful authority in its city. Among the various software solutions for local governments, eScribe offers a purpose-built platform meant to improve governance, ensure compliance, and streamline day-to-day operations.
A council member’s job is to serve the people, and eScribe makes connecting elected officials with their citizens easier than ever. eScribe features allow city officials to enhance civic engagement, giving people a way to participate in public meetings in-person or virtually, to speak and comment on current happenings, and get updated faster than ever.
Key features include:
Meeting Manager: Council members can streamline and automate tasks before, during, and after meetings, with unlimited customizable templates and workflows.
Meeting Minutes: Take minutes directly within the platform with eScribe’s Minutes Builder. Effortlessly make notes, create tasks, track attendance, and mark motions as the meeting progresses.
Reporting and Workflows: Manage deadlines, track statuses, save time, and handle reports and approvals with ease.
Collaboration Tools: Provide secure access for searching for and reviewing content, downloading meeting materials, and keeping track of comments, notes, and action items—whether a council member is in the office or working remotely.
