U.S. Secretary of State pay at a glance
The United States Secretary of State is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule. As of January 2024, the annual rate of basic pay is $235,600. That salary is set by the Executive Schedule rates established under the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, as adjusted by subsequent appropriations and comparability provisions. Holders of this office are not private-sector employees and do not receive market-based bonuses or equity. The compensation package includes a pension under FERS, access to federal health insurance, and certain travel and allowances when officially authorized. Below is a snapshot of the current pay table for this level.
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Executive Schedule Level I | U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) pay tables |
| Annual basic pay (2024) | $235,600 | OPM Executive Schedule |
| Annual basic pay (2025) | $239,600 | OPM Executive Schedule 2025 adjustment |
| Pension | FERS basic benefit after meeting age and service requirements | U.S. Office of Personnel Management |
| Health benefits | Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) participation available | U.S. Office of Personnel Management |
What the Secretary of State pay package includes
As a presidential appointee in the Executive Schedule, the Secretary of State receives a fixed annual salary rather than a negotiable market wage. Benefits are derived from federal employee programs and may include a FERS pension, Thrift Savings Plan contributions, federal health insurance, and official travel allowances when authorized by law or regulation. Unlike many senior executives in the private sector, there are no performance bonuses, stock options, or severance arrangements tied to corporate outcomes. The pay is intended to reflect the high responsibility and public service nature of the role while remaining subject to statutory caps and comparability rules.
Historical context and statutory basis
The salary for the Secretary of State is governed by the Executive Schedule under 5 U.S.C. § 5312 and set by the President through Executive Order. Levels I–V are used for the most senior executive branch positions, with Level I being the highest. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989, and subsequent appropriations acts, established the comparability framework and authorized adjustments tied to private-sector executive pay comparability. Over decades, the amount has risen in steps as pay tables are updated, but the statutory structure and classification have remained consistent.
Comparison with related roles
Because the Secretary of State is a Level I Executive Schedule position, it is helpful to compare it with other high-level government roles to understand where it sits. Cabinet leaders such as the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury, and Attorney General share the same Level I classification and receive the same salary. Deputy-level roles (e.g., Deputy Secretary of State) are typically at Level III, and their pay is correspondingly lower. The following comparison highlights the relationship.
- Level I (Executive Cabinet): Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury — salary as set for the Executive Schedule Level I (e.g., $235,600 in 2024)
- Level II: Positions such as Deputy Secretary of State — generally two steps below Level I on the Executive Schedule
- Level III: Principal deputies and certain undersecretaries — lower fixed salary within the same comparability framework
Limitations and considerations
It is important to clarify that the Secretary of State salary is fixed by law and not adjusted for performance or tenure beyond cost-of-living updates in the Executive Schedule. Holders of the office may incur substantial official expenses and long hours, but those are not compensated through additional cash payments beyond authorized allowances. The salary is transparent and publicly available in federal pay tables, and any changes require an Executive Order following established comparability principles.
Summary and takeaways
The U.S. Secretary of State receives an annual salary of $235,600 as of 2024, set at Executive Schedule Level I. The pay is determined by federal law, adjusted periodically through Executive Schedule updates, and supplemented by standard federal benefits. The compensation package does not include bonuses or equity and is designed to align with statutory comparability rather than market rates. Understanding the statutory basis, historical adjustments, and package components provides a durable, transparent view of how the role is compensated.
