The people of the United States elect representatives who directly participate in the government to represent their interests. The powers of the government are broken down into the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The legislative branch is formed as a bicameral system consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. All fifty states follow this bicameral legislative model, and each state, including Georgia, sets its own compensation for its state legislators.

Georgia's Legislative System

Georgia's legislative system mirrors the U.S. federal system, with a senate and a house of representatives. The overall legislative body is known as the Georgia General Assembly, and meets in the state capitol building in Atlanta. There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives and 56 members of the Georgia Senate, and elections are held every two years on even-numbered years.

Salary of Georgia State Representatives

According to the National Conference of State Legislators, Georgia state representatives earn $17,342 annually as of 2010. Georgia representatives also earn a generous per diem of $173 a day.

Salary of Georgia State Senators

Although a few states have different salary schedules and per diems for senators and representatives, Georgia pays all legislators the same annual salary, so its senators also make $17,442 a year, with a per diem of $173 a day.

Salaries of State Representatives in Selected States

New Hampshire pays its state legislators the least, at just $200 for a two-year term with no per diem. Connecticut is also on the low end of the scale, paying $29,000 annually with no per diem. California is on the high end of the state legislator pay scale, at $95,291 per year, plus a $173 per diem when in session. Alaska also pays its legislators well, at $50,400, plus a per diem of between $189 and $234, which varies according to time of year.