When Alberta's members of the legislative assembly begin their spring session at the end of April, they'll be making $3,000 more than last year, but will still be among the lowest-paid provincial representatives.

The MLA wage hike, effective Tuesday, boosts their annual salaries and expense allowances to a combined total of $78,138, up from $74,754 in 2007.

MLAs wages are adjusted every year on April 1, like the province's minimum wage, and are based on Statistics Canada's average weekly wage index, which includes data on jobs, payroll and hours.

The 2008 salary hike reflects a 4.53 per cent increase in the weekly wage index. Last year, the adjustment was 4.92 per cent, for an increase of $3,510.

Despite the hike, Alberta's provincial representatives are making less than their counterparts in every province but New Brunswick, where MLAs make $70,401 and Prince Edward Island, where they make $63,750. The figures were collected and released by Alberta's legislative office.

Members of Ontario's legislature receive the highest salaries, at $113,100.