Secretary of State Salary Overview
The U.S. Secretary of State is a cabinet-level position with a salary set by federal law. As of the latest available pay tables, the annual base salary for Level I of the Executive Schedule is $235,600. This figure is established by the Office of Personnel Management and applies to the principal foreign affairs officer in the cabinet. The pay is defined under 5 U.S.C. § 5312 and is adjusted periodically for executive schedules. The salary is subject to mandatory federal payroll deductions, including taxes and benefits. Additional compensation details are published in the OPM Executive Schedule tables, which are updated annually. For context on how this compares to other senior roles, see the Executive Schedule pay tables on the OPM website OPM Executive Schedule.
The Secretary of State receives the same base salary as other Cabinet secretaries at Level I of the Executive Schedule. This salary is distinct from the pay of elected members of Congress and is set under separate statutory authority. The position is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The salary is paid from the Department of State operating budget. It is not subject to congressional pay raises that apply to members of Congress under the Ethics Reform Act. The pay is fixed by statute and cannot be changed without congressional action. This structure ensures a clear separation between legislative and executive compensation. Additional background on federal pay structures is available from the U.S. Government Accountability Office GAO federal pay reports.
Pay Structure and Compensation Details
The Secretary of State compensation includes the base salary plus certain statutory benefits. The position qualifies for the full executive benefits package, including Thrift Savings Plan contributions and federal health insurance. The salary is paid on a biweekly basis through the standard federal payroll system. The pay rate is the same regardless of the specific individual serving in the role. The Secretary does not receive additional housing or travel allowances beyond what is provided to other Cabinet officers. Perks such as residence use at the Blair House are separate from cash compensation. The official pay is documented in the Department of State financial reports and OPM salary tables. For details on federal employee benefits, see the OPM benefits overview OPM Federal Benefits.
The Secretary of State salary is classified under the Executive Schedule Level I, which is the highest pay band for non-elected executive branch officials. This level is reserved for the Vice President, Cabinet secretaries, and other high-ranking officials. The pay is set by statute and is not negotiable for the individual officeholder. The salary is subject to the same across-the-board adjustments that apply to the entire Executive Schedule when Congress authorizes them. The Secretary of State also receives a pension upon leaving office under the Federal Employees Retirement System. The compensation structure is designed to attract qualified candidates while maintaining public accountability. Detailed salary tables are published by OPM and the Department of the Treasury Treasury Executive Schedule.
Comparison With Other Government Roles
The Secretary of State salary is higher than that of most other federal agency heads, who are typically paid at Level II or Level III of the Executive Schedule. For example, Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries are paid at lower levels. The position is also higher paid than most senior military officers at equivalent ranks. The salary is comparable to other cabinet-level positions such as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Treasury. The pay is set by law and is not tied to performance bonuses or market-based incentives. The position does not receive additional pay for serving in a wartime or crisis