New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels is reportedly earning $363,000 a year, a salary higher than Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s taxpayer-funded pay.
According to reporting cited by The Post, Samuels’ salary is more than $100,000 higher than what he earned in his previous role as a district superintendent.
Mamdani selected Samuels to lead the city’s Department of Education, one of the largest public school systems in the country.
The reported salary is also significantly higher than Mamdani’s own mayoral salary of $258,750.
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City Hall has not publicly confirmed Samuels’ pay and reportedly declined multiple requests to verify the figure.
That lack of disclosure has drawn criticism from transparency advocates.
Good government groups said the administration should be open about top public officials’ compensation, especially for a role as powerful and visible as schools chancellor.
Empire Center President Zilvinas Silenas criticized the lack of clarity, arguing that public salary information should be transparent.
He said the secrecy appeared inconsistent with Mamdani’s past calls for more open government.
The Department of Education and the mayor’s office did not return multiple requests for comment, according to the report.
The controversy comes as Mamdani continues facing scrutiny over his early administration decisions and staffing choices.
The schools chancellor role carries enormous responsibility, overseeing education policy, school operations and public resources across New York City.
Supporters may argue that a high salary is necessary to attract experienced leadership for one of the most demanding education jobs in America.
Critics, however, are likely to question why the compensation was not clearly disclosed and why the chancellor is reportedly earning more than the mayor.
The issue could become a broader transparency fight for City Hall.
For Mamdani, who campaigned on accountability and reform, the question is not only how much Samuels is being paid, but why the public had to learn the figure through reporting rather than direct disclosure.
Why It Matters
The reported salary raises questions about transparency, public accountability and how much top city officials should earn. Because Samuels leads the nation’s largest school system, taxpayers may expect clear disclosure of his compensation.
What Comes Next
City Hall may face pressure to confirm Samuels’ salary and explain how the pay package was determined. Good government groups and political critics are likely to keep pressing for more transparency from the Mamdani administration.
NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels reportedly earns $363,000 a year, more than Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s salary.
NYC Schools chancellor makes whopping $363K – more than Mayor Mamdani: source https://t.co/b2wmqtlHeh pic.twitter.com/GrLbiaaiB3
— New York Post (@nypost) May 31, 2026
