COFFS Harbour City councillors are poised to start the new financial year with a pay rise.

The councillors will tomorrow night vote on a 2.5% salary increase that would raise councillor remuneration to $18,840 and the mayoral salary to $40,090.

By comparison, the salary for the council's general manager in 2014-15 was based at $269,936.35 and the four senior staff meanwhile earned a combined $816,914.93.

The annual figures don't include additional expenses councillors and the mayor can claim, which according to statutory reporting tallied $74,168 in 2014-15.

In other tiers of government, State Government members took home a base salary of $153,280 in 2015/16.

As of January, Federal members of parliament meanwhile earned a base salary of $199,040 per annum.

The councillor salary increase is set by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal which uses a band system to determine wages.

The tribunal classifies Coffs Harbour as "regional rural", meaning councillors earn less than "principal cities" such as Sydney, but more than "rural" councils including Bellingen and Nambucca.

Financial reporting of wages and expenses is part and parcel of all levels of government and has come under increased scrutiny in the wake of the Bronwyn Bishop "choppergate" scandal.

Government Salaries

- Prime Minister - $507,338
- Federal MP - $199,040
- State MP - $153,280
- Senior State Minister - $295,830
- Council general manager - $269,936
- Mayor - $40,090
- Councillor - $18,840