Norwalk Mayor’s salary ranked No. 20 in the state
NORWALK — Mayor Harry Rilling, representing Connecticut’s sixth most populous city, ranked No. 20 as the highestpaid municipal leaders in Connecticut.
Rilling earned $165,205 in fiscal year 2022-23, according to data collected by Hearst Connecticut Media. Norwalk has a population of about 91,400, compared to the 136,000 people in Stamford, where Mayor Caroline Simmons
is the highest-paid municipal employee, according to 2022 estimates from the U.S. Census. She earned $192,186 in 2022-23.
“Mayor Rilling’s salary is lower than that of the majority of his cabinet staff members, and while it may not be as high as others in similar positions throughout the state, he finds it more than adequate,” said Michelle MatthewsWoods, Norwalk’s director of communication.
Elected in 2013, Rilling has served as mayor for nearly 10 years. Over this time, his salary has risen by $50,681.
From 2013-14 to 2015-16, Rilling earned $114,524. The follow two fiscal years, Rilling’s salary was raised by $23,944 to $138,468. It was raised again in 2018-19 and 2019-20 to $147,043, according to city budgets.
In the last four fiscal years, Rilling’s salary was raised three times: $154,066 in 2020-21, $161,412 in 2021-22 and $165,205 in 2022-23.
The recommended operated budget for 2023-24 set his salary at $170,759.
Rilling, a Democrat, is running for mayor this November against Republican Vinny Scicchitano, who owns an East Norwalk auto body shop.
Wilton ranks no. 42 with First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice earning $123,833. Her salary was lowered in September 2022 from $142,999 when a town administrator was hired.
New Canaan’s First Selectman Kevin Moynihan earns $155,000 representing 20,732 residents and ranking no. 26 in the state.
Ranked no. 31, Westport’s First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker earns $150,000 representing 27,279 residents, and ranked no. 36. Darien’s First Selectwoman Monica McNally makes $142,500 representing 21,500 residents.
In Danbury, a similar-sized city to Norwalk, Mayor Dean Esposito ranks 38th and earns $135,768 representing the 86,759 residents.