In a significant move, Upper Austria has announced an increase in politician salaries while other regions in Austria are opting for salary freezes. The government of Upper Austria plans to raise salaries by 3.3% starting July 1, 2026. This decision was revealed by Governor Thomas Stelzer during the presentation of the state budget.
Comparison of Politician Salaries Across Austria
Many regions, including Styria, Vorarlberg, Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, have opted to suspend salary increases for their politicians for the upcoming year. In Lower Austria, a salary freeze is also in effect for the state government. The future of salaries for regional parliament members remains uncertain, as consolidation discussions are ongoing.
Reasons for Schedule Variation in Upper Austria
Governor Stelzer stated that the salaries in Upper Austria have been 5% lower than the amounts set by the national salary regulation for politicians. This adjustment aims to avoid the self-devaluation often associated with political positions. It is noteworthy that, even after the salary increase, the monthly gross salary for Upper Austrian governor Stelzer will be positioned third among the regional governors.
Current Salary Rankings of Austrian Governors
| Position | Governor | Salary (Gross Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ludwig (Vienna) | €22,657 |
| 2 | Mikl-Leitner (Lower Austria) | €21,660 |
| 3 | Stelzer (Upper Austria) – *after increase* | €21,304 |
| 4 | Kaiser (Carinthia) | €18,358 |
| 5 | Doskozil (Burgenland) | €17,645 |
Salary Disparities Among Regional Politicians
In Vienna, city council members earn an average of €20,391, surpassing the salaries of regional council members in many provinces. Conversely, Carinthian lawmakers earn some of the lowest salaries in the country, at €5,808, with Burgenland lawmakers following closely at €6,394.
The Future of Political Salaries in Austria
The structure of politician salaries has shifted significantly over the past 25 years, as noted by the Court of Audit. Frequent salary freezes and adjustments resulting from inflation have decreased the value of these salaries under the Federal Salaries Law implemented in 1997.
As debates regarding salary adjustments are ongoing, a comprehensive restructuring of the salary adjustment process for politicians has been announced by the federal government. This may pave the way for a more balanced and transparent salary framework in the future.
