Hispanic congressional staffers, for a long time the lowest-paid ethnic group, have made big strides over the years in coming closer to parity with other non-Caucasian staff.
In 2000, the median salary for Hispanic staffers was 82% of that for Caucasians. Now, Hispanics make 93% of what Caucasians make.
By contrast, the next lowest-paid group - AAPI staffers - made 95% of what Caucasians made in 2000.
While Hispanic staffers tended to be the lowest-paid staffers from 2000 to 2016, by 2017 they began consistently earning salaries at rates comparable to AAPI and Black staffers and have not been the lowest-paid staffers since 2021.
From 2000 to 2017, Hispanic staffers saw a 32% increase in median annual salary, more than twice the 14% increase for AAPI staffers and 8% increase for Black staffers.
Since 2017, Hispanic staffers have consistently earned salaries within a similar range of AAPI and Black staffers.
Hispanic staffers' median annual salary has not been the lowest paying since 2021. In 2022, Hispanic staffers even earned the highest median salary among racial minorities, with a $67,700 annual median salary.
At the same time, Hispanics have grown their presence in Congress, from 3% of congressional staff in 2000 to 9% of staff today.
