When people think about the U.S. Secretary of State, they usually imagine high-stakes summits, private jets, and shaking hands with world leaders in gilded rooms. They don't typically think about a bi-weekly paycheck hitting a direct deposit account. But even the person responsible for the nation’s foreign policy has a salary determined by federal law, and honestly, the number might surprise you—for better or worse.
If you're wondering how much does the secretary of state make, the short answer for 2026 is $253,100.
That’s the top-tier rate for Level I of the Executive Schedule. It’s the same amount earned by other Cabinet heavyweights like the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the Treasury. While a quarter-million dollars is a massive sum for most Americans, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what people with similar levels of responsibility earn in the private sector. Imagine managing a "company" (the State Department) with over 75,000 employees and a budget in the tens of billions. In the corporate world, that's a multi-million dollar CEO role. In D.C., it’s public service.
The Pay Scale: Breaking Down the Executive Schedule
The federal government uses a specific ranking system for its highest-level political appointees called the Executive Schedule (EX). It’s basically the VIP version of the General Schedule (GS) pay scale that most civil servants use.
There are five levels in the Executive Schedule. Level I is the "Reserved for the Bosses" tier.
As of January 2026, the official rate for Level I is $253,100. However, there’s a bit of a catch that often gets lost in the headlines. For years, there has been a recurring "pay freeze" on certain senior political appointees. This means that while the authorized rate might go up, the payable rate—what actually shows up in the bank account—can sometimes be stuck at a lower level unless Congress specifically moves the needle. According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the freeze was extended through at least late January 2026.
Essentially, they are "eligible" for more, but they might be taking home the 2025 rate of $250,600 until the legislative dust settles.
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How it compares to other big roles
- The President: $400,000 (plus a $50,000 expense account).
- The Vice President: $284,600 (authorized 2026 rate).
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: $312,200.
- Member of Congress: $174,000 (this hasn't changed since 2009).
Basically, the Secretary of State sits comfortably in the middle of the government’s top earners. They make more than the people writing the laws but less than the person sitting in the Oval Office.
Marco Rubio and the Current State of the Office
As of early 2026, the person collecting this paycheck is Marco Rubio. Following his confirmation in early 2025, Rubio stepped into a role that has been held by everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Hillary Clinton.
Before this, Rubio was a U.S. Senator representing Florida. As a Senator, his base salary was $174,000. Taking the job at the State Department actually gave him a significant "promotion" in terms of annual income—roughly an $80,000 jump.
Of course, the job is way more demanding than the Senate. You’re on a plane half the year. You’re dealing with active war zones. You’re the face of the United States to 190+ other countries. For some, the $253,100 is a lot; for others, it’s not nearly enough for the amount of stress involved.
Beyond the Base Pay: Perks and the "Real" Compensation
If you only look at the $253,100, you're missing half the story. High-level government officials get "non-monetary" benefits that most of us would kill for, though they aren't exactly "luxury" in the way a billionaire experiences them.
Travel and Security
The Secretary of State doesn't fly commercial. Ever. They travel on a modified Boeing 757 (often referred to as the C-32) that functions as a flying office. It has secure communications, a bed, and a full staff. They also have a 24/7 security detail provided by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
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Housing and Expenses
Unlike the President, the Secretary of State does not get a free house. They have to pay for their own residence in the D.C. area, which, if you’ve seen real estate prices in Northwest D.C. lately, can eat up a huge chunk of that salary. However, when they are traveling abroad on official business, their lodging and meals are covered by the government.
Retirement and Health
They get the same high-quality health insurance available to all federal employees (FEHB) and participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If someone stays in government for decades, that pension can be quite lucrative, often based on a percentage of their highest three years of earnings.
The State-Level Confusion: A Different Kind of Secretary
Here is where a lot of people get tripped up. There is the U.S. Secretary of State (the foreign policy person), and then there are State Secretaries of State (the people who run elections and business filings in places like Ohio or California).
The pay for state-level secretaries is all over the map.
- In California, the Secretary of State makes about $184,447.
- In Texas, the position is appointed and pays around $197,415.
- In some smaller states, the pay might barely hit $100,000.
If you're googling "how much does the secretary of state make" because you're thinking about running for office in your home state, don't expect the federal $250k+ salary. You're looking at a much wider range depending on the local budget.
Is the Salary "Fair"? The Nuanced Debate
There’s always a big debate about whether we should pay these people more or less.
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One side argues that to get the brightest minds, we need to compete with Wall Street or Silicon Valley. If a potential Secretary of State could make $5 million a year as a consultant or a corporate lawyer, why would they take $253,100 to get yelled at by Congress?
The other side says $250k is already in the top 1% or 2% of American earners. They argue that public service should be about sacrifice, not getting rich. Plus, most Secretaries of State go on to write book deals or join speaking circuits that pay them millions after they leave office. The "exit value" of the job is where the real money is.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re tracking government spending or just curious about how your tax dollars are allocated to leadership, here are a few ways to dig deeper:
- Check the OPM website: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM.gov) publishes the "Salary Table for the Executive Schedule" every January. It’s the source of truth for all federal pay rates.
- Look at "OpenPayrolls": This website tracks the actual earnings of public officials at the state and local levels if you're interested in your specific state’s Secretary of State.
- Review Disclosure Forms: Under the Ethics in Government Act, high-ranking officials like the Secretary of State have to file financial disclosure reports. These reveal their outside assets and previous income, giving you a better picture of their total net worth beyond the government salary.
The salary of the Secretary of State is a fixed number, but the influence and "future earning potential" of the office are almost limitless. Whether it's Marco Rubio today or someone else tomorrow, the paycheck remains one of the most interesting benchmarks in American public life.
Data Verified for Fiscal Year 2026
- Level I Executive Schedule: $253,100
- Primary Source: OPM 2026 Pay Tables
- Current Incumbent: Marco Rubio (Confirmed Jan 2025)