You’d think the leader of the free world would be raking in millions in base pay. Honestly? It’s not even close. While the CEO of a mid-sized tech company might pull down a seven-figure bonus, the how much money does a us president make question has a surprisingly static answer: $400,000 a year.
That’s it.
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No performance bonuses. No stock options in the Treasury. Just a flat monthly check that hasn’t seen a raise since the days when the "Macarena" was still a thing.
The $400,000 Cap and Why It Doesn't Budge
The current salary was set back in 2001. Before that, it was $200,000, a figure that stayed frozen from 1969 all the way through the end of the Clinton era. If you adjust George Washington’s 1789 salary of $25,000 for inflation, he was actually making way more than modern presidents in terms of raw purchasing power—somewhere in the neighborhood of $900,000 in today's money.
But here is the kicker: Under Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, Congress can’t change the President’s pay while they are in office. They can't give a "good job" raise, and they definitely can't dock pay if the approval ratings tank. It’s a protection measure so Congress can't use the President's wallet to influence their decisions.
Beyond the Paycheck: The Expense Accounts
When you ask how much money does a us president make, you have to look at the "hidden" side of the ledger. It's not just the $400,000 salary. There are specific buckets of money meant to keep the operation running without the President having to reach into their own pocket for a sandwich or a plane ticket.
- The $50,000 Expense Allowance: This is for "official" duties. If the President doesn't spend it all, the leftover cash actually goes back to the Treasury. They don't get to keep the change.
- The $100,000 Travel Account: This covers the massive logistics of moving the Commander in Chief. It’s non-taxable, which is a nice perk.
- The $19,000 Entertainment Budget: Think of this as the "hosting" fund. State dinners, official receptions, and the general pomp and circumstance of the White House.
Living in a $4 Million Upkeep Mansion
You’ve got a 132-room house with 35 bathrooms. There’s a bowling alley, a movie theater, a tennis court, and a putting green. The annual maintenance on the White House is roughly $4 million.
But wait. There’s a catch.
The President actually has to pay for their own groceries.
It sounds wild, but it’s true. At the end of every month, the First Family gets a bill for their personal meals, toilet paper, and dry cleaning. The staff—the chefs, the ushers, the florists—are all paid by the government, but the actual food they cook for a private Tuesday night dinner? That’s on the President’s tab.
The Afterlife: How Much Money Does a US President Make After Leaving?
This is where the real money usually starts. Since the Former Presidents Act of 1958, ex-presidents aren't just kicked to the curb. We started doing this because Harry Truman was reportedly struggling financially after leaving office, and the government didn't want the "dignity of the office" tarnished by a former leader needing a regular 9-to-5.
In 2026, the presidential pension is tied to the salary of a Cabinet Secretary (Executive Level I). This usually hovers around $246,000 per year, though it adjusts slightly.
The Record-Breaking Case of Joe Biden
Interestingly, not all pensions are created equal. As of early 2026, reports indicate that former President Joe Biden is receiving one of the largest taxpayer-funded pensions in history—estimated at roughly $417,000 annually.
How?
It’s a "double dip" that is perfectly legal. He spent over 40 years in the Senate and eight years as Vice President before his term in the Oval Office. He’s drawing from multiple federal retirement systems. In a strange twist of fate, he actually makes more in retirement than the sitting president makes in base salary.
The Perks of Being an "Ex"
- Office Space and Staff: For the first 30 months after leaving, the GSA gives them up to $150,000 a year for staff. After that, it drops to $96,000.
- Secret Service: Lifetime protection. This is the big one. It’s not "money" in their pocket, but the value of a private security detail for life is worth millions.
- Transition Funds: They get a few hundred thousand dollars just to handle the move and the initial surge of mail and requests that happen the moment they become a private citizen.
The Real Wealth is the Brand
Let’s be real. Nobody runs for President for the $400,000 salary. They run for the power, the legacy, and the massive earning potential that follows.
The how much money does a us president make question usually misses the book deals. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama reportedly secured memoir deals worth tens of millions of dollars. Speaking fees can range from $200,000 to $500,000 for a single one-hour keynote.
Then there are the "donators." Herbert Hoover and John F. Kennedy famously donated their salaries to charity because they were already wealthy. Donald Trump did the same, often tweeting out which government agency (like the National Park Service) was getting his quarterly check.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
- Track the COLA: While the $400,000 is fixed, the pension is not. Keep an eye on Executive Level I pay scales to see how much former presidents are earning.
- Watch the GSA Reports: The General Services Administration publishes the "allowances" for former presidents every year. It’s public record. You can see exactly how much we pay for an ex-president’s office in Midtown or Honolulu.
- Understand the Tax Implication: The $400,000 salary is 100% taxable. However, the $50,000 expense account is not, provided it's used for official business.
The job is high-stress, low-sleep, and the pay hasn't kept up with inflation for 25 years. But between the $400,000 base and the $246,000+ lifetime pension, it's safe to say they aren't worried about making rent.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into federal pay scales, check out the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2026 pay tables. It shows the massive gap between the "top" of the GS scale and the flat rate the President receives.