Area school superintendents top a list of the region’s biggest earners in local government — netting more than $1.4 million collectively this year — according to the Maryland Association of Counties’ first-ever salary survey.

Baltimore County schools chief Joe Hairston tops the list at nearly $286,600 a year, more than $117,000 above the state average for superintendents. Hairston is followed by Howard County Schools Superintendent Sydney Cousin and his Baltimore City counterpart, Andres Alonso.