What was George Washington's annual salary as president?

In 1789, George Washington got paid $25,000 a year. In 1873, that went up to $50,000 for the second term of Ulysses S. Grant. There is no mechanism to automatically adjust the president's salary; Congress must pass legislation authorizing it. The latest adjustment, which goes into effect this year, is the 7th.

Currently, the president receives a salary of $400,000 a year as president, which, while generous, isn't even close to today's top executives salaries. Plus, the president gets a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment.

Today, because of the cost of living and other factors, President Obama's annual adjusted gross income has dropped steadily since he entered office. The fortunes of an American president appear tied to the economy of the time. As the focus of the economy changes, so will the way U.S. presidents made their money.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

97 Comments

Steve Brockopp

It’s a hell of a lot more than any Damnocrat President has donated! Also he wrote a personal check for you million dollars to help Puerto Rico, whereas the Clinton foundation absconded with all but $10000 they had pledged to Haiti... Ya those honest Damnocrat folks!

Alicia Szot

It's amazing how some people will bring Trump's name into something that has nothing to do with him. The hate is strong. Get over it.

billyboy915

Jerry Puraty, He SAID he will donate his SALARY at the end of the year which is peanuts compared to what he is making through his illegal holdings and what he is costing the country for security. Whether he donates his salary remains to be seen, like so many of his other promises, such as releasing his tax returns. In the meantime, he has not divested himself of his assets and continues to profit when foreign diplomats come to any city where he has a hotel. They stay there at his hotels to curry favor with him. It is illegal for him to profit from his presidency in any way, yet he persists. He is in clear violation of the emoluments clauses and should be impeached for that reason alone, instability and incompetence notwithstanding. It is considered a conflict of interest. He is a parasite, whether he donates his salary or not.

Karin Johansson

Jerry Puraty, Karin Johansson, are you stupid? He cost your country more than any other president have done. Money that could help a lot of poor people.

Ed Taber

I like the question but the political BS is tiresome at best.

atranakos

I thought the question was about George Washington. Why leftist want to rag on some non sequitur all the time?

andimike

You guys crack me up!

cindigon

Damn! George, back in 1700s made more than I make now!

wordster

Steve Brockopp, must be nice to live in the right-wing bubble that is impervious to facts and reality. You prob'ly buy into the Mango Mussolini's nonsense about climate change being a Chinese hoax. By the way, you need to stop by and pick up the deed to the bridge you bought.

wordster

robert karel, see my answer to Steve Brockopp's moronic post.

blucherfamily

Little known fact. Back in the days of our early Presidents it was not considered a sallary. In those days it was seen as a re-imbursement for their time away from their regular source of income. George Washington's regular source of income was as a plantation farmer.

vasily tchaikovsky

Interesting Q ,before latest Bush it was only 200 000 just cymbolic salary for such of job,W.Bush did all good, increasing for himself and others in times two ,but Britt PM. has 500K+ the highest salary for politics

robert karel

Obamba should have paid the country back what he received as pay for trying to be a President! Actually all he did was keep the seat warm for 8 long miserable years! 🤣