What Is The Salary Of The Secretary Of State

Ever wondered what the bigwigs in the U.S. government take home? Let's dive into the salary of the Secretary of State, the person who's basically the CEO of the U.S. Department of State. Spoiler alert: it's not as much as you'd think for running a whole department!

So, how much do they make?

The Secretary of State's base salary is a cool $221,400 per year. That's right, they're not rolling in dough like some other high-profile jobs. But hey, they do get some pretty sweet perks, like a fancy car service and a team of staff to help them run the show.

But wait, there's more!

Now, you might be thinking, "That's not much for running an entire department!" Well, hold onto your hats, because there's more to the story. The Secretary of State also gets a lifetime pension after serving for at least two years. And get this, they can even double dip by collecting their military pension too, if they've served in the armed forces. Talk about a sweet deal!

Let's talk history

Fun fact: The Secretary of State's salary has only been $221,400 since 2001. Before that, it was a mere $165,300. That's right, they got a 34% raise in just a few years. Not too shabby, huh?

And here's another nugget for you: The first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, didn't even get paid! He was a founding father, after all, and they didn't have the heart to charge him. Talk about a founding father's discount!

What about the rest of the team?

Now, you might be wondering about the rest of the team at the Department of State. Well, they're not exactly rolling in cash either. The average salary for a Foreign Service Officer, for example, starts at around $38,000. That's right, they're the ones out there representing the U.S., and they're not making bank doing it.

Secretary Salary (Actual 2026 | Projected 2027) | VelvetJobs

Why does it matter?

So, why should you care about the Secretary of State's salary? Well, for one, it's a fun fact to drop at your next dinner party. But more importantly, it's a reminder that even the people at the top of the government aren't exactly swimming in cash. They're public servants, after all, and their salaries are a reflection of that.

Plus, it's always interesting to see how much the people running our government are making. It's a reminder that they're just people, like you and me, trying to do their best in a tough job. And hey, if they're not making millions, maybe we can cut them a little slack when they make mistakes.

So, what's next?

Now that you know all about the Secretary of State's salary, why not dive into another fun fact about the U.S. government? Maybe we'll talk about the Vice President's fancy house next time. Until then, happy learning, and remember: knowledge is power, even when it's about government salaries!