Had A Raise Since 2002? You’re Doing Better Than the President

Unless you’ve been hiding out somewhere, you are aware that we are two days into a new presidential administration. There’s a lot of transition going on. Everything from new people in new positions, new policies in place and for some learning their way around Washington D.C., which is no easy feat. 

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One thing that has not changed with the “changing of the guard”, is how much the leader of the free world makes each year.  

I came across an article from Readers Digest, yes, it is still around, that says President Trump’s salary is $400,000 per year. That’s a figure that has not gone up since 2001.  

In 2001, the Presidents salary went from $200,000 to $400,000. The last 5 presidents, Trump twice, Biden, Obama, and Bush the second all earned that much per year. 

In addition to the $400,000, the president gets a $50,000 expense budget, a $100,000 travel budget and $19,000 for entertaining.  

How It Started

When George Washington became our countries first president, he earned $25,000 per year. Then in 1873, that figure doubled to 50 grand. That number stayed the same until 1909 when the President started earning $75,000 per year.   

Forty years later, the salary hit six figures at $100,000 per year. That number remained the same until 1969 when it hit the $200,000 mark.   

Readers Digest says that presidents of the past actually earned more money than President Trump is now if you factor in inflation. The $25,000 that George Washington earned would be worth around $896,000 dollars in today’s money.  

Then of course, each president earns $246,000 per year once they leave office.  

So, if you feel like it’s been a while since you’ve gotten a raise, you’re not alone. Except most likely your job doesn’t have you on call 24 hours a day.