How much US presidents have been paid since George Washington
Have you ever wondered what POTUS is paid? US presidents have had just five raises since George Washington.
Since the inception of the United States in 1789, the annual compensation for the president has fluctuated significantly. For the first 84 years, from Washington's presidency until 1873, the salary stood at $25,000 per year. Adjusted for inflation, this would equate to around $949,000 in today's money.
Ulysses S. Grant became the first president to see a salary increase in 1873, raising the pay to $50,000 annually. This adjustment made the salary worth approximately $1.4 million in 2026 dollars. This salary remained unchanged for nearly three decades until 1909, when it was increased to $75,000. In 2026 dollars, this would amount to about $2.75 million.
The salary experienced another bump in 1949, when Harry S. Truman became president, and it was raised to $100,000. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to around $1.4 million today. It wasn't until 1969 that Congress raised the salary to $200,000, which would be worth about $1.8 million in 2026 dollars.
George W. Bush became the first president to be paid the current salary of $400,000 in 2001. This amount has remained the same since then, despite inflation. Since 1949, presidents have also received a $50,000 expense account, covering official expenses like dry-cleaning and social events. Unused funds go back to the US Treasury.
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