A Deep Dive into Compensation, Growth, and Accountability
Montgomery County commissioners are among the highest paid in Texas.
As of the 2024 adopted compensation plan, county commissioners earn approximately $206,825 per year.
That figure places Montgomery County near the very top tier of commissioner compensation statewide.
This is not speculation. It is public record.
The question is not whether they are highly paid.
The question is why — and whether performance matches compensation.
Statewide Comparison: Where Montgomery County Ranks
Texas does not publish an official statewide ranking of commissioner salaries. However, public reporting and adopted salary schedules allow for comparison among the state’s largest counties.
Approximate Commissioner Salaries (2024)
Montgomery County — ~$206,825
Travis County — ~$152,589
Harris County — Historically mid-to-high $160,000 range
Dallas County — Historically mid-$150,000 range
Montgomery County Commissioners (2024–Present)
Precinct 1 – Robert Walker
Approximate Salary: $206,825
Precinct 2 – Charlie Riley
Approximate Salary: $206,825
Precinct 3 – Ritch Wheeler
Approximate Salary: $206,825
Precinct 4 – Matt Gray
Approximate Salary: $206,825
Travis County FY2024 salary reference:
https://theaustinbulldog.org/document/travis-county-elected-officials-salaries-fy-2024/
Harris County historical salary context:
https://937theriver.iheart.com/content/2019-07-08-how-much-of-a-pay-raise-do-bexar-county-commissioners-deserve/
Montgomery County reporting reference:
https://www.ksam1017.com/2024/10/02/a-look-at-montgomery-county-officials-salaries/
Montgomery County commissioners earn roughly:
• $54,000 more annually than Travis County commissioners
• Tens of thousands more than historically reported compensation in Harris and Dallas counties
Even compared to major metropolitan counties with significantly larger populations, Montgomery County’s commissioner pay is aggressive.
That is a policy decision made by Commissioners Court.
Fiscal Contrast: Commissioners vs. County Judge
County Judge Mark Keough earns approximately $159,774 annually.
Source:
https://www.ksam1017.com/2024/10/02/a-look-at-montgomery-county-officials-salaries/
He was the only listed elected official who publicly requested a reduction in compensation rather than accepting a raise during the pay adjustment discussions.
Commissioners earn roughly $47,000 more per year than the County Judge who presides over Commissioners Court.
That contrast is notable.
This includes Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, whose compensation reflects the same adopted level as the other commissioners.
Budget Growth and Salary Growth
Montgomery County’s total adopted budget has grown significantly.
Recent reporting shows:
2023 Budget: ~$432.6 million
2024 Budget: ~$466 million
As budgets expand, compensation adjustments often follow.
Over the past decade, Montgomery County has transitioned from a rapidly growing suburban county to a major economic engine north of Houston.
Commissioner compensation has risen alongside that expansion.
The growth pattern appears tied to:
• Increased infrastructure spending
• Expanded development
• Higher public safety budgets
• Market-based salary benchmarking
However, higher pay establishes higher performance expectations.
What Do Commissioners Control?
Each commissioner oversees:
• Multi-million-dollar road and bridge budgets
• Drainage and flood mitigation projects
• Vendor and engineering contracts
• Precinct-level staffing
• Infrastructure planning
With Montgomery County’s rapid development and ongoing congestion concerns, these roles carry substantial financial authority.
But authority and compensation must be balanced with measurable outcomes.
Accountability Questions Taxpayers Are Asking
When public officials earn over $200,000 annually, residents are justified in asking:
Is congestion improving at a measurable pace?
Are infrastructure expansions keeping up with development?
Is growth being responsibly managed?
Are drainage and flooding concerns decreasing?
Are contracts competitively bid and transparently awarded?
These are not partisan questions.
They are performance questions.
The Bottom Line
Montgomery County commissioners are among the highest paid in Texas — earning more than commissioners in Travis County and likely more than those in Harris and Dallas counties based on publicly available reporting.
High compensation is not inherently wrong.
But high compensation demands high accountability.
Transparency about where Montgomery County ranks statewide is not an attack. It is context.
And context matters.
Dock Line Magazine will continue examining salary trends, budget growth, infrastructure outcomes, and statewide comparisons as part of our ongoing Investigate Finance series.
Truth. Transparency. Accountability.
