COLUMBUS, Ga. — Working for the Columbus Consolidated Government can mean earning anywhere from $31,200 a year to nearly $200,000, depending on the position. The highest salaries go to officials responsible for law enforcement, legal services, emergency response, courts and city administration.

According to the most recent comprehensive salary database published by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in January 2026, 50 Columbus government employees earn at least $100,000 annually. That’s approximately 2% of the city’s 2,459 full-time employees, meaning six-figure salaries are relatively uncommon in local government.

The highest-paid employee in the November 2025 salary snapshot was City Attorney Clifton Fay, earning $192,475.66 annually. Sheriff Greg Countryman and Police Chief Stoney Mathis followed, both earning more than $180,000. The records provide a look at how Columbus compensates the officials responsible for some of its largest departments and most important public services. (⁠Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

The 10 Highest-Paid Columbus Government Employees

The following salaries come from the Columbus Consolidated Government employee records as of November 1, 2025, published in January 2026.

Rank Employee Position Annual Salary 1 Clifton Fay City Attorney $192,475.66 2 Greg Countryman Sheriff $184,248.48 3 Stoney Mathis Police Chief $182,943.54 4 Sal Scarpa Fire & EMA Director $179,155.08 5 Lisa Goodwin Deputy City Manager $177,748.22 6 Andrew Prather State Court Judge $175,937.16 7 Pam Hodge Deputy City Manager $172,520.66 8 Pete Temesgen State Court Judge $169,952.76 9 Herbert Walker Warden $159,755.70 10 Ronald Beck Engineering Director $148,889.78

Combined, these 10 positions account for approximately $1.74 million in annual base salaries, averaging about $174,563 per employee. The figures represent salary rates recorded in November 2025, not necessarily total compensation received during the calendar year. They do not include the full cost of employee benefits, retirement contributions or other compensation. (⁠Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

The City Attorney Earns the Most

City Attorney Clifton Fay held the highest annual salary in the latest published city employee database at $192,475.66. His salary was unchanged from the previous year’s report, when he was the second-highest-paid employee.

The city attorney serves as the government’s chief legal adviser, providing legal guidance on ordinances, contracts, litigation and other matters involving city operations. The position carries substantial responsibility because legal decisions can affect government spending, public services and potential liability.

Fay moved into the top position following the departure of former City Manager Isaiah Hugley, whose annual salary had been $213,278.52. Columbus Council voted to terminate Hugley’s employment in May 2025, leaving the city manager position vacant at the time the November salary records were compiled. (⁠Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Dominate the List

Three of the four highest-paid employees in the database work in public safety or legal services. Sheriff Greg Countryman earned $184,248.48, Police Chief Stoney Mathis earned $182,943.54, and Fire and Emergency Management Director Sal Scarpa earned $179,155.08.

These positions oversee major public safety operations involving personnel, equipment, emergency services and departmental budgets. Their responsibilities extend beyond responding to individual incidents and include staffing, training, operational planning and the management of public resources.

Countryman’s salary increased from $170,980.68 in the previous report, an increase of approximately $13,268, or 7.8%. Mathis received an increase of approximately $5,330, while Scarpa’s salary rose by about $1,718. These changes reflect the salary figures published in consecutive annual reports. (⁠Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

What Does the Average Columbus Government Employee Earn?

Although the highest-paid officials earn more than $150,000 annually, most Columbus government employees earn substantially less.

The January 2026 salary report found that the average annual salary among full-time Columbus Consolidated Government employees was $55,063.86. The median salary, which represents the midpoint of employee earnings, was $50,452.22.

That means half of the government’s full-time employees earned less than approximately $50,452 annually, while half earned more.

For comparison, the same report cited a median household income of $56,622 in Muscogee County, compared with $74,664 statewide. Household income includes the combined earnings of people living in a household, so it is not directly comparable to an individual employee’s salary. Nevertheless, the figures provide useful context for understanding local earnings.

The city’s lowest reported annual salary among full-time employees was $31,200, paid to a custodian. The difference between that salary and the city attorney’s $192,475.66 amounts to more than $161,000 annually. (⁠Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

How Many City Employees Make Six Figures?

Columbus had 50 full-time government employees earning at least $100,000 in the latest published salary snapshot, down from 53 in the previous report.

That decline occurred even as the total number of full-time employees increased from 2,410 to 2,459. The average annual salary also decreased slightly, from $55,159.55 to $55,063.86, while the median declined from $50,960 to $50,452.22.

The figures suggest that overall city employee salaries remained relatively stable between the two reporting periods, although individual employees may have received raises, promotions or other adjustments. Changes in staffing can also influence average salary calculations, particularly when higher-paid employees leave and lower-paid positions are added. (⁠Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)

How Much Does Columbus Spend on Employee Compensation?

Employee compensation represents one of the largest expenses in Columbus’ operating budget.

The city’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget included approximately $215.2 million for personnel compensation and benefits. That amount included salaries, wages, overtime, retirement contributions, healthcare and other employee-related expenses.

Of that total, approximately $75.8 million was allocated to general government salaries, wages and overtime, while another $82.9 million was allocated to public safety salaries, wages and overtime. The remaining personnel expenses included healthcare, retirement, payroll taxes and additional benefits.

These are budgeted amounts, rather than actual year-end spending. They also demonstrate why employee pay and staffing decisions have a substantial influence on the city’s overall financial position. (⁠Columbus Consolidated Government)

What About Columbus’ Public Schools and Colleges?

The city government’s salary rankings do not include employees of the Muscogee County School District, Columbus State University or Columbus Technical College.

Those institutions report their compensation separately, and some public education administrators earn considerably more than Columbus’ highest-paid city government employee.

Columbus Times previously reported that Columbus State University President Stuart Rayfield received $342,900 during Georgia’s 2025 fiscal year. Muscogee County School District Superintendent David Lewis received $287,544, while Columbus Technical College President Martha Todd received $224,760.

Unlike the city government figures, those amounts represent compensation reported for the state’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, rather than annual salary rates at a particular date. The distinction matters when comparing earnings across public institutions. (⁠Columbus Times)

Are Columbus Government Salaries Public Information?

Yes. Georgia’s Open Records Act allows residents to request salary information for government employees. Public compensation records help taxpayers understand how their money is spent and allow comparisons between government positions and departments.

The Columbus Consolidated Government also publishes employee pay charts through its Human Resources Department. These charts establish compensation ranges for various positions, although an individual employee’s actual pay may differ depending on their responsibilities, experience and employment arrangements.

Residents interested in comparing salaries can consult the city’s Human Resources website or review the searchable database published by the Ledger-Enquirer.

What the Numbers Mean for Columbus Taxpayers

The latest available comprehensive salary report shows a government workforce in which approximately 98% of full-time employees earn less than $100,000 annually. A relatively small group of senior administrators, judges and department leaders occupies the highest salary levels.

Whether these salaries are appropriate depends on several considerations, including the responsibilities of each position, compensation in comparable cities, employee experience and the government’s ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel.

The numbers alone do not establish whether Columbus pays too much or too little for any particular position. That question would require comparisons with similarly sized local governments and an examination of job responsibilities, benefits and performance requirements.

For Columbus residents, however, the records provide a clearer picture of where taxpayer-funded salaries stand. The city’s top 10 listed employees earn between approximately $149,000 and $192,000 annually, while the median full-time government employee earns approximately $50,452.

As Columbus considers future budgets, staffing needs and public service improvements, employee compensation will remain an important part of the conversation about how the city spends public money.