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An aide to Rep. Paul Ryan said end-of-year bonuses to his staff last year averaged 3.2 percent of their salaries.
"The 3.2 percent figure represents the average increase above the base salaries paid to full-time members of Ryan's office as a result of their performance and extra efforts in dealing with increased workloads over the past year," said aide Conor Sweeney.
Ryan employs 18 full-time staff members with salaries ranging from $24,000 to $127,000, Sweeney said.
Chief of Staff Andy Speth earns the top salary. Speth has 18 years of experience but is the second-lowest paid chief of staff in the delegation, Sweeney said.
Information on the LegiStorm Web site indicates 11 Ryan staff members earned between $40,000 and $54,000 in fiscal year 2008. Another four full-timers earned between $25,000 and $33,000, and one earned about $80,000.
Ryan's salary expenses increased by 16 percent from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2008, but Sweeney said other factors account for that.
"At various points throughout 2008, we've had a number of openings. When we filled those openings by hiring new staffers, the total salary amount increased," Sweeney said.
Each House member must pay salaries and all other expenses—including office costs, rent, the member's travel to and from the district—out of a Member's Representational Allowance, Sweeney said.
Ryan's expenses always have been less than his allowance, and he didn't spend $70,000 of it in 2008, Sweeney said.
Ryan has returned more than $600,000 since he took office in 1999, Sweeney said.
Ryan awards his staff based on performance and experience, Sweeney said.
"Despite the fact that staff salaries in Ryan's office are well below the congressional average, Congressman Ryan appreciates the extraordinary hard work his staff puts forth," Sweeney said.