Despite the amount of work required of the First Lady (or First Gentleman) while their partner is in office, they do not receive a salary. Some of their titles include SVP of Communications and Strategic Planning, Head of Program Management, and VP of Global Affairs, all of which are estimated to be worth more than $173,000 in the job market.
Several recent First Ladies who’ve supported their husbands in the White House have actually left behind successful and lucrative careers to do so, including Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama.
The President In Office — $400,000
Every president since 2001 has received an annual salary of $400,000, along with a $50,000 expense account. The position also comes with a number of perks, including $100,000 for travel and $19,000 for entertainment, both tax-free. Each family also receives a decor allowance of $100,000 upon moving into the White House, to make it feel more like home.
Then, of course, there are the perks of having a full staff on hand to handle the cooking, cleaning, landscaping, and even their medical needs.
The Vice-President — $230,700
The Vice-President receives an annual salary equivalent to those who hold the position of the chief justice of the United States and the speaker of the House. They’ve been paid $230,700 per year since 2010, which occasionally increases with cost-of-living.
On top of access to a private plane, the Vice-President gets to move into a 33-room house located just three miles from the White House, in the U.S. Naval Observatory. Some have said that the Vice-President’s quarters are nicer than those at the White House, and many media events are held there.
Acting Chief of Staff — $203,500
Nicknamed “The Gatekeeper,” the Acting Chief of Staff is responsible for managing the president’s schedule, overseeing the White House staff, and ultimately deciding who gets to meet with the president. While it’s not a requirement that the sitting president appoints someone to this position, most of them find that the role is essential.
The Chief of Staff earns $203,500 per year. The salary of this position has increased dramatically in the past years, and in 2016 it was only $176,461. Looks like the people who are delivering the dollars are starting to respect the importance of this position.
Assistant to the President for Trade and Manufacturing Policy — $183,000
Formerly the Director of the White House National Trade Council, this role was renamed under Trump’s presidency to the Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy. The objective of those in this position is to protect American workers and domestic manufacturers while also advising the president on trade and manufacturing policy.
Whoever stands under this definition receives an annual salary of $183,000. Not bad for a recently newly defined job.