Salary Adjustments for Elected Officials in San Antonio
Following voter approval of a recent measure, significant salary increases will affect San Antonio’s mayor and City Council members starting in 2025. The new pay structure responds to the community’s desire for employee compensation to reflect the area’s economic conditions.
New Salary Figures
Compensation for City Council Members
As of the upcoming election in 2025, City Council members will earn an annual salary of $70,200. This marks a substantial increase from the previous salary of $45,722.
Mayor’s Salary
The mayor’s salary will also see an increase, reaching $87,800 per year, up from $61,725. This change aims to align the mayor’s compensation with the region’s cost of living and median income data.
Linking Salaries to Economic Conditions
The changes in pay structure are linked to the area median income (AMI) of the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area, specifically for a four-member household. This approach allows automatic adjustments each year to keep elected officials’ salaries in line with inflation, reducing the need for voter approval for future increases.
Council Members’ Options
Both the mayor and council members have the option to decline some or all of their salaries if they choose.
Public Support and Review Process
The increase in salaries was supported by 64% of voters after a thorough review process. A Charter Review Commission set up a salary review committee to evaluate the pay of elected officials in cities of similar size, leading to the recommendations presented to voters.
Changes to Term Lengths
Another notable change is that the winners of the 2025 city election will serve four-year terms, a shift from the traditional two-year terms. This modification followed a successful ballot initiative in the November election.
Current City Manager’s Compensation
Additionally, the salary of San Antonio’s City Manager, Erik Walsh, has been adjusted to $461,000, reflecting a 23% increase from his previous salary of $374,400. With additional benefits, his annual compensation reaches approximately $476,300, placing him among the highest-paid city managers in Texas.
Election Outlook
On May 3, voters will determine the next leaders of San Antonio as they select council members and the new mayor. A total of 27 candidates are vying for the mayoral position, while 59 candidates are running for council seats. This election will be crucial as it marks the beginning of the new four-year term lengths.
For detailed information regarding the upcoming election, please refer to our comprehensive Voter Guide.