Estimated Annual Salaries for Full-time 

U.S. Senate Staff Members

Barack Obama vs. John McCain 

Total male payroll

$1,523,120.49

$916,914.62

Total male employees

28

17

Average male salary

$54,397.16

$53,936.15

Total female payroll

$1,354,580.02

$1,396,958.88

Total female employees

30

25

Average female salary

$45,152.67

$55,878.36

Female salary as share

0.83

1.04

of male salary

Females among five

1

3

highest-paid staffers

Females among 20

7

13

highest-paid staffers