Does the first lady get a salary?
Asked by: Macey Pagac | Last update: February 17, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (74 votes)
No, the First Lady does not receive a salary; it's an unpaid, unofficial role, though she gets perks like White House residence, security, and staff support, funded by taxpayers through the Office of the First Lady. While the position itself pays nothing, the First Lady's office staff, including communications and policy advisors, are paid, and some past First Ladies, like Jill Biden and Eleanor Roosevelt, maintained outside jobs or earned money from speaking/writing, with some earnings going to charity.
What is the salary of the first lady?
She is not elected to an official post, she receives no salary, and her position is not outlined in the Constitution. Yet, despite the ambiguity of her post, the First Lady has become an intergal part of American society.
Does the President's wife get a pension?
The pension begins immediately after a president's departure from office. A former president's spouse may also be paid a lifetime annual pension of $20,000 if they relinquish any other statutory pension.
Do First Ladies get secret service for life?
In 1965, Congress authorized the Secret Service (Public Law 89-186) to protect a former president and his/her spouse during their lifetime, unless they decline protection.
Does Jill Biden get a salary?
Jill Biden continued to teach full-time at NOVA after her husband left office, with a salary of close to $100,000.
Does First Lady get salary?
What is the president's salary now?
The President of the United States receives a base salary of $400,000 per year, a rate set in 2001, plus an expense account of $50,000, a $100,000 travel account, and a $19,000 entertainment budget, along with significant benefits like housing in the White House, healthcare, and transportation. This compensation package brings the total effective value to around $569,000 annually, excluding non-monetary perks.
Did Joe Biden pass the bar exam?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
Does the Secret Service go to the bathroom with the President?
Yes, Secret Service agents are always nearby and often in the bathroom with the President, especially outside the private residence, to ensure security, though they try to give privacy in highly controlled spaces like the White House residence where agents usually wait outside an unlocked door. The core mission is protection, so agents remain within steps or just outside the door, even during seemingly private moments, as the President is never truly alone.
What is the starting salary for Secret Service?
A Secret Service agent's salary is based on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale. New agents usually start at the GL-7 or GL-9 pay grade. This base pay often ranges from $49,000 to $77,000.
Why does Secret Service wear sunglasses?
Secret Service agents sometimes wear sunglasses to keep the sun out of their eyes, so they can increase their ability to see what people in the crowd are doing. Agents do not always wear sunglasses.
Do president's kids get Secret Service for life?
Former President George W. Bush and future former presidents will receive Secret Service protection for the rest of their lives. Children of former presidents up to the age of 16 are assured protection under the new law.
How does the first lady travel?
The C-32As are operated by the 1st Airlift Squadron of the 89th Airlift Wing. They are available for use by the vice-president (using call sign Air Force Two), the first lady, and members of the cabinet and Congress (using SAM callsigns).
Does the President get paid for life after leaving office?
According to the FPA, upon leaving office, former Presidents are to receive a pension that is equal to the pay for the head of an executive department (Executive Level I), which was $203,700 in calendar year 2015. Executive Level I pay increased to $205,700 in calendar year 2016.
How does Melania Trump rate as a first lady?
Melania Trump's ratings as First Lady were mixed, often lower than previous First Ladies, fluctuating but ending with one of the lowest approval ratings on record (around 42%) when she left the White House in 2021, though she sometimes polled higher than her husband or other Republicans. Her public image was characterized by a reserved style and less direct political engagement, with support often strongest among older, white male Republicans, while facing criticism for perceived tone-deaf moments and association with her husband's presidency, notes this CNN article and the Washingtonian magazine.
What does the first lady do all day?
The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries. She is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House. She organizes and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the president.
How much is a US senator paid?
A U.S. Senator's base salary is $174,000 per year, a rate unchanged since 2009, though leaders (Majority/Minority Leaders, President pro tempore) earn more, around $193,400 annually, with additional allowances for staff and office expenses. Their compensation includes health and retirement benefits, and they can have substantial other incomes, as many come from successful careers in business or law before entering politics.
Can a cop make 300K a year?
Yes, some police officers can make over $300,000, but it usually requires massive amounts of overtime, working in high-cost-of-living areas like California or Boston, and sometimes comes from specific situations like pandemics or staffing shortages. While the median salary for patrol officers is much lower (around $70k-$80k), high earners achieve $300k+ through significant extra hours and other pay, often exceeding their base pay.
How much does the president's bodyguard make?
A US Presidential bodyguard (Secret Service Agent) salary varies significantly with experience, grade, and location, but generally starts lower (around $47k-$88k for agents) and can reach over $100k, with senior agents or those on special assignments earning much more, potentially over $150k-$300k, plus overtime and benefits, though specific high-profile figures have seen large payments.
Who gets paid more, FBI or CIA?
It's complex, but the FBI often offers higher starting salaries for new agents due to law enforcement pay scales (LEAP), while the CIA can potentially offer more for specialized, senior roles in technical or paramilitary fields, with overall earnings depending heavily on the specific job, experience, location, and bonuses. Entry-level FBI special agents can start around $78k-$80k, while senior CIA roles with high-demand skills might reach $200k+, though the CIA's structure and bonuses make direct comparisons tricky.
Does the Secret Service stay with the President at all times?
The president and vice president can't refuse protection while in office, but once out of office, the president and their spouse can decline lifelong protection and/or hire their own security detail.
What was Hillary Clinton's code name?
Vice presidents and their families
From left to right: President Bill Clinton, codename "Eagle"; Chelsea Clinton, codename "Energy"; Senator Hillary Clinton, codename "Evergreen"; Vice President Al Gore, codename "Sundance".
How much do Secret Service agents who guard the President make?
Average United States Secret Service Special Agent yearly pay in the United States is approximately $88,897, which is 17% below the national average.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What degrees does Donald Trump have?
Though Trump personally opposed the war, he did not participate in protests. Trump graduated from the Wharton School in May 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics.
What is Joe Biden's stage 4 diagnosis?
Metastatic cancer, which Biden has, means that it has spread from where it started to another part of the body – in his case, from the prostate to the bone. It's also known as Stage 4 cancer. Somebody Biden's age wouldn't normally be screened for prostate cancer.