Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Please switch to another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a better experience.


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Federal Election Commission | United States of America Calendar
           Glossary
          Search
              Search


Menu
      Home
      Campaign finance data
        All data
            Raising
            Spending
            Loans and debts
            Filings and reports
            Candidates
            Committees
            Bulk data
            Campaign finance statistics
        Find elections. Search by state or ZIP code
          Look up contributions from specific individuals
      Help for candidates and committees
        All compliance resources
            Guides
            Forms
            Dates and deadlines
            Trainings
        Learn about electronic filing
          Find and contact your committee's analyst
      Legal resources
        All legal resources
            Advisory opinions
            Enforcement
            Statutes
            Legislation
            Regulations
            Court cases
            Policy and other guidance
        Search across all legal resources
          Search guidance documents
      About
        All about the FEC
            News and announcements
            Commission meetings
            Mission and history
            Leadership and structure
            Reports about the FEC
            Careers
            Working with the FEC
            Contact
        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


- Home
- ›
        Help for candidates and committees
- ›
        Making disbursements
- ›
      Candidate salary

Candidate salary A federal officeholder must not receive compensation as a candidate from campaign funds. However, a nonincumbent candidate may receive compensation from their principal campaign committee under certain conditions.
 Compensation cap The compensation must not exceed the lesser of 50% of the minimum annual salary paid to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (regardless of the office sought), and the average annual income that the candidate earned during the most recent five calendar years in which the candidate earned income prior to becoming a candidate. Compensation must be calculated at the daily rate, rounded to the nearest dollar.
 Example 1: Candidate A earned an average annual income of $35,000 in the most recent five calendar years in which Candidate A earned income prior to becoming a candidate, which means the daily rate is $96 for purposes of the compensation cap ($35,000/365, rounded to the nearest dollar). The minimum annual House Member salary is $174,000, which means the daily rate is $238 (($174,000 × 50%)/365, rounded to the nearest dollar). Therefore, Candidate A’s compensation is capped at $96 per day because the daily rate of the candidate’s 5-year average earned income is less than the daily rate of 50% of the minimum House Member salary ($96 < $238).
 Example 2: Candidate B earned an average annual income of $100,000 in the most recent five calendar years in which Candidate B earned income prior to becoming a candidate, which means the daily rate is $274 ($100,000/365). The minimum annual House Member salary is $174,000, which means the daily rate is $238 (($174,000 × 50%)/ 365), rounded to the nearest dollar. Therefore, Candidate B’s compensation is capped at $238 per day because the daily rate of 50% of the minimum House Member salary is less than the daily rate of Candidate B’s 5-year average earned income ($238 < $274).
 Example 3: Candidate C becomes a candidate in 2023. Candidate C earned income averaging $60,000 per year in 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, but did not earn any income in 2022 or 2020. Because Candidate C’s 5-year average earned income in the five most recent calendar years in which Candidate C earned income was $60,000, which is less than 50% of the minimum House Member salary of $174,000 in 2023, Candidate C would be entitled to receive $164 per day ($60,000/365) in compensation from campaign funds in 2023.
 
 
 Outside earned income The campaign committee must reduce the maximum amount of permissible candidate compensation from campaign funds by the amount of income earned by the candidate from outside sources after the candidate files a Statement of Candidacy.
 Example 1: Candidate A earned an annual average of $60,000 during the most recent five calendar years in which Candidate A earned income before becoming a candidate, and the minimum House Member salary is $174,000 per year. Because $60,000 is less than half of the minimum House Member salary ($87,000), Candidate A could receive up to $164/day ($60,000/ 365). But, if Candidate A earns $30,000 in income from outside sources after filing a Statement of Candidacy with the Commission, the maximum amount that Candidate A may receive as compensation from campaign funds must be reduced by $30,000, meaning that the total compensation paid to the candidate may not exceed $82/day (($60,000-$30,000)/365).
 Example 2: Candidate B earned an annual average of $100,000 during the most recent five calendar years in which Candidate B earned income before becoming a candidate, and the minimum annual House Member salary is $174,000 per year. Because half of the Minimum Officeholder Salary ($87,000) is less than $100,000, Candidate B could receive up to $238/day. But, if Candidate B earns $30,000 in income from outside sources while also receiving compensation from campaign funds, the maximum amount that Candidate B may receive as compensation from campaign funds must be reduced by $30,000, meaning that the total compensation paid to the candidate may not exceed $156/day (($87,000-$30,000)/365).
 Eligibility period Candidates may begin receiving compensation from campaign funds on the date they file their Statement of Candidacy. Candidates may continue to receive compensation from campaign funds up to 20 days after the candidate: Wins the general election, general election runoff, special election, or special election runoff; orOtherwise ceases to be a candidate, such as by losing an election or withdrawing from the race.
 Tax records and debt settlement Candidates who elect to receive compensation from their campaign committees must provide evidence of earned income from relevant years upon request from the Commission, and any such evidence must be retained for three years after the report disclosing the disbursement is filed. Finally, if a campaign committee is seeking to settle debts for less than the full value, it may not pay compensation to the candidate or settle or satisfy a debt to a candidate for compensation.
 Icon of an example
      How to report
        Candidate salary payments
 Read next
            
          
            
          Day to day operating expendituresTravel on behalf of campaignsNoncampaign related expensesMaking contributions to other candidatesWinding down a campaign From the FEC Record Commission approves revised regulations providing for candidate salaries (REG 2021-01)
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(i)Federal Officeholders 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(ii)Candidate Compensation Cap 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(iii)Definition of “Compensation” 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(iv)Outside Earned Income 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(v)Eligibility Period 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(vi)Debts and Debt Settlement 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)(vii)Evidence of Earned Income
 Advisory opinions AO 2021-13Whether government benefit constitutes earned income for purposes of candidate salary provision
 Federal Register notices 89 Fed. Reg. 1 (January 2, 2024)Candidate salaries 60 Fed. Reg. 7866 (February 9, 1995)Contribution and expenditure limitations and prohibition: Personal use of campaign funds; Final rules


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


About
          Careers
          Press
          Contact
   Privacy and security policy
          Plain language
          No FEAR Act
          Strategy, budget and performance
 Open government
          Protected Voices
          USA.gov
          Inspector General
          FOIA
 OpenFEC API
          GitHub repository
          Release notes
          FEC.gov status


Federal Election Commission
 The FEC's Twitter page
            The FEC's YouTube page Sign up for FECMail


Hide glossary Glossary Search terms