The president of the United States earns a base salary of 400,000 dollars per year, plus several fixed allowances and perks written into law.

How Much Does the President Make?

Core Salary (The Simple Answer)

  • Base salary: 400,000 dollars per year.
  • Paid schedule: Monthly, as regular federal pay.
  • This number has been unchanged since 2001 , even though the cost of living has gone up a lot since then.

If you break it down with a normal workweek, that 400,000 dollars works out to roughly 7,700 dollars per week and around 190 dollars per hour (assuming a “standard” 40‑hour week, even though the job is basically 24/7).

Extra Money Beyond the Base Salary

On top of the 400,000 dollars, the president also gets official allowances that are meant to cover job‑related costs, not personal spending sprees.

Typical extras include:

  • 50,000‑dollar expense allowance (non‑taxable)
    • For official expenses tied to the job.
  • 100,000‑dollar travel account
    • Helps cover official travel beyond what’s handled directly by government agencies.
  • 19,000‑dollar entertainment budget
    • Used for hosting receptions, state dinners, and similar formal events.

These are not meant to be “bonuses” so much as tools to help the president perform the role without dipping into personal funds for official duties.

Quick View: Money Side of the Job

Here’s a simple overview:

Component| Approx. Amount (USD/year)| Notes
---|---|---
Base salary| 400,000| Taxable income.79
Expense allowance| 50,000| Non‑taxable, for official use.79
Travel account| 100,000| For official travel costs.7
Entertainment budget| 19,000| For events, receptions, state dinners.7

Total cash + allowances on paper looks high, but a lot of it is locked into specific official uses.

What About Perks (Non‑Cash Benefits)?

Beyond the salary, the position comes with major non‑cash perks:

  • Living in the White House (housing, staff, security).
  • Use of Air Force One and Marine One for travel.
  • Protection by the Secret Service.

These don’t show up as paycheck dollars, but they have huge monetary value and are part of why the role is considered so privileged.

Why People Are Talking About It Now

The question “how much does the president make” keeps trending every election cycle and especially around debates about inequality and the cost of living. The interesting contrast:

  • The salary has been frozen for over two decades.
  • Meanwhile, average wages, housing, and other costs have risen, so some argue the pay is low for the responsibility, while others think 400,000 dollars plus perks is more than enough.

You’ll also see forum discussions about presidents who donate their salary or parts of it, which adds another twist to how people judge “how much they really make.”

TL;DR: The U.S. president makes 400,000 dollars a year in salary, plus fixed allowances for expenses, travel, and entertainment, plus powerful non‑cash perks like the White House and official transport.