How many employees does the US Attorney General have?

Asked by: Ms. Trinity Quigley I  |  Last update: May 5, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (30 votes)

The U.S. Attorney General heads the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has over 115,000 employees across more than 40 component organizations, including the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Attorneys' Offices, making it a massive federal agency with a large workforce supporting the AG's leadership.

How many people work for the US Attorney General?

115,000 employees

Today's department contains over 70 distinct offices, initiatives and task forces, all of which the attorney general supervises. There are currently 115,000 employees in the department.

What is the annual salary of the US Attorney General?

The U.S. Attorney General's salary is set by the Executive Schedule (Level I) at $250,600 as of January 2025, a federal position, while average salaries for other, often state or local, "Attorney General" roles vary significantly, with some sources showing averages around $100k-$115k, but the federal AG's pay is fixed at the top executive level. 

Is the attorney general higher than the FBI?

Yes, the U.S. Attorney General is above the FBI; the FBI is an agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Attorney General heads the DOJ, making the AG the FBI's ultimate supervisor and chief law enforcement officer for the federal government. The FBI director reports directly to the Attorney General, who oversees the FBI's operations and administration as part of the DOJ's broader responsibilities.
 

How many people are employed by the DOJ?

Organization. Under the leadership of the Attorney General of the United States, the Justice Department is composed of more than 40 separate component organizations and more than 115,000 employees. Headquartered at the Robert F.

Who does the United States attorney general work for?

24 related questions found

Which U.S. department has the most employees?

According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the largest federal offices by civilian employment in September 2024 were all military programs under the Defense Department (772,549 people), the Department of Veterans Affairs (482,831), and the Department of Homeland Security (227,566).

Who hires the US Attorney General?

The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General is the head of the Department of Justice.

Who pays more, CIA or FBI?

Salaries at the FBI and CIA vary significantly by role, experience, and location, but entry-level FBI Special Agents often start with a higher base salary due to law enforcement pay scales, while CIA officers in highly specialized or technical roles (like clandestine operations) can earn more with bonuses and hazard pay, with both agencies seeing senior staff exceed $150k, though CIA averages sometimes show higher overall earnings in certain analyses. 

Do attorney generals get security?

FBI and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS):

The FBI operates the protective detail for the attorney general of the United States and also others as requested by DOJ. The attorney general is the FBI's only permanent personal protective mission.

What is the most powerful agency in the USA?

There's no single "most powerful" agency, as power varies by domain, but contenders often cited are the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for budget/policy control, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for foreign intelligence/covert ops, the National Security Agency (NSA) for electronic surveillance, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for domestic financial reach, though agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also wield significant authority. 

Can a lawyer make $1 million a year?

Yes, lawyers can make $1 million a year, but it's not typical for most; it's usually achieved by partners in large corporate firms, elite trial lawyers handling high-stakes cases (often on contingency), or entrepreneurial lawyers who own successful firms in lucrative fields like intellectual property, with specialization and business acumen being key. While average salaries are much lower, top earners in specific high-value niches or those leveraging firm growth strategies can reach or exceed this income level. 

What is Governor Newsom's salary?

Gavin Newsom's official salary as Governor of California is $234,101 annually, though some sources list slightly different figures from past years or pending adjustments, like a potential $245,929 in late 2025; however, he earns substantial additional income from his wine and hospitality businesses, which he placed in a blind trust, reporting millions in combined income with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, on past tax returns. 

What is the salary of a US congressman?

A rank-and-file U.S. Representative or Senator earns $174,000 annually, a rate set in 2009 and frozen since, while congressional leaders earn more, with the Speaker of the House receiving $223,500 and Majority/Minority Leaders earning $193,400, though Congress can vote to accept or deny automatic cost-of-living adjustments. 

Who is the most powerful person in a courtroom?

While the Judge holds significant authority within the courtroom by managing proceedings, ruling on evidence, and ensuring order, the Prosecutor is often considered the single most powerful figure in the U.S. criminal justice system because they decide whether to file charges, what charges to bring, and influence plea bargains, ultimately controlling the case's direction and potential outcomes more than the judge can.
 

Who was the youngest Attorney General?

In 1814 Madison offered Rush the choice of Secretary of the Treasury or Attorney General of the United States, and Rush chose Attorney General. With his appointment as Attorney General, Rush became the youngest person to serve in that office. Rush served as United States Attorney General from 1814 to 1817.

How much are the president's bodyguards paid?

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. 

Can the president fire the U.S. attorney general?

Like other Presidential appointees, United States Attorneys can be removed by the President for any reason or for no reason, as long as it is not an illegal or improper reason. In the past, U.S. Attorneys normally were not replaced except in cases of misconduct or when there was a change in Administrations.

Can the Attorney General make arrests?

Several attorney general offices have investigation units with arrest power and peace-officer status. Some attorneys general have broad powers and can investigate violations of any state statute.

Can CIA agents tell their family?

Yes, CIA officers can tell their families they work for the CIA, but what they can say depends heavily on their specific role (covert vs. overt) and job duties, with covert officers hiding their employment from most people, while overt employees might tell their families the general agency but not details, and former officers must submit writings for review to avoid revealing classified information. Immediate family, especially spouses, usually know the truth for security, but children are often kept in the dark until older, with officers living a "normal" life to blend in. 

At what age do FBI agents retire?

FBI special agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, special agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday.

What's the most high paying job in law enforcement?

The Chief of Police is the top position in civilian law enforcement. The Chief of Police has the highest paying job in law enforcement for the civilian sector, making between $96,000 and $160,000 a year (In Salary). Just below the Chief is the Deputy Chief of Police, with a salary of up to $138,000 a year (In Salary).

Has Trump appointed any US attorneys?

Yes, Donald Trump has appointed many U.S. Attorneys, both during his first term (84 confirmed) and during his current one, often using temporary "acting" roles for loyalists, leading to legal challenges from judges who question the legality of some appointments, especially those bypassing Senate confirmation. His appointments have included controversial figures like Alina Habba (NJ), Lindsey Halligan (EDVA), and Jeanine Pirro (DC). 

Does the U.S. Attorney General need a law degree?

At the federal level, the Judiciary Act of 1789 stipulated that the U.S. attorney general must be “learned in the law.” While this language suggests legal expertise, it does not explicitly require bar admission. In practice, however, every U.S. attorney general has been a lawyer.

Has a U.S. Attorney General ever become president?

After serving as attorney general, many individuals have continued their public service career in a higher office, including president of the United States, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, governor, and senator.