Karoline Leavitt, Susie Wiles or Stephen Miller might be the most prominent White House staff but they are not the highest paid ones. According to the annual report of Donald Trump's administration revealing the salaries of every staff inside the White House, the top paid staffer is Jacalynee Klopp, a senior advisor and the only one who is earning $225,700. She is followed by Edgar Mkrtchian, an associate counsel, making $203,645.
Behind them comes a group of 33 staffers making $195,200, which includes White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, border czar Tom Homan, chief of staff Susan Wiles, trade advisor Peter Navarro, communications director Steven Cheung and police chief of staff and homeland security advisor Stephen Miller.
There are 108 employees who make between $59,000 and $80,000, while Trump's speechwriters earn between $92,500 and $121,500.
Eight employees do not take any salary
The list includes eight employees who do not receive salaries at all but that's also because they have other roles in the government from where they draw salaries. Like Secretary of State Marco Rubio is chief among these, not receiving any compensation for his White House role as national security advisor. Special envoy Steve Witkoff also receives compensation from the State Department rather than the White House.
What is President Donald Trump's salary?
The report does not have any mention of Trump's salary but the president's pay scheme is laid out in federal law. As president, Trump earns a base salary of $400,000, as well as a $50,000 expense allowance, $100,000 for travel and $19,000 for entertainment.Trump donated his salary to government agencies during his first term in office and said he will do the same during his second term.
Trump White House pays its staffers $114,194 in an average, which is higher than the Biden administration’s 2024 average of $109,166. The Biden White House also employed more staff overall 564 in 2024 compared to just over 400 under Trump and had a smaller proportion of high earners, with only 21 staffers making $180,000 or more.
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