Kenneth Glad
A new set of tax records is giving a clearer picture of how the new New York City Mayor earned his money before stepping into one of the city’s highest-paid public roles.
Mamdani’s earnings in 2025 were anchored in his job as a state assembly member. Politico reported that he received a pre-tax salary slightly above $131,000, accounting for the vast majority of the household’s income.
In total, Mamdani and his wife reported just under $145,000 for the year, according to Politico’s review of their filings.
There were a few smaller additions. Around $1,600 came from capital gains, which were tied to a mutual fund investment, according to a spokesperson.
His wife’s earnings made up a much smaller portion. Politico reported that her visual design business generated a little over $10,000 before expenses.
Once costs such as art supplies were deducted, her income dropped to about $8,860. Politico noted that this figure sits below the 2025 federal poverty threshold for an individual, set at $15,650.
Royalties and future income
Another stream of revenue came from Mamdani’s earlier work in music. The Guardian writes that he earned $1,643 in royalties in 2025 from tracks released under the names Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom.
The mayor responded with a note of humor: “A lot of people say they’re listening. They’re not listening.” He added that listeners could “go to Spotify” if they wanted to support him financially.
The filings arrive as Mamdani continues to push policies aimed at addressing living costs in New York City. Politico also reported that the couple did not itemize charitable donations on their return, though a spokesperson said donations were made but not listed because they chose a standard deduction.
His financial outlook is set to change significantly. As mayor, Mamdani will earn $258,750 a year, a substantial increase from his previous salary.
The jump in earnings reflects the scale of the office. New York City’s mayor is among the highest-paid municipal leaders in the United States, with the salary designed to match the demands of overseeing a city of more than 8 million people and a multibillion-dollar budget.
Sources: Politico, The Guardian
