President Trump makes $400,000 per year, although he has donated his salary to various government organizations. A U.S. Senator or Representative receives $174,000 per year.
Federal employee salaries are generally capped at level IV of the Executive Schedule (EX-IV) (currently $170,800). However, that is not the case for all federal employees.
While the American public often views the federal government’s workforce as one entity with the same salary schedule, most federal employees are probably aware that there are a variety of pay schedules used in other areas of the government.
This system of multiple schedules exists for a variety of reasons. The multiplicity of pay systems results in some federal employees making more than the President of the United States. This is most likely why all members of this list are employees by the Department of Health & Human Services as medical officers.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Federal Employees
In looking at the list of the top ten highest-paid federal employees, most are relatively unknown outside of their employing agency.
The number one person on the list has become well-known in the past few months after multiple appearances with President Trump, various news interviews, articles about his life (including several articles about his role on a high school basketball team). He was apparently known to many of his classmates as “Fauch” in his high school days.
Here is the list of the top 10 highest paid federal employees:
| Name | Agency | Occupation | Location | Salary |
| FAUCI,ANTHONY S | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | BETHESDA | 417608.00 |
| GIBBONS,GARY H | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | BETHESDA | 406095.00 |
| YORK,JOHN H | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | GALLUP | 400000.00 |
| WYLIE,ROBERT J | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | WHITE RIVER | 400000.00 |
| HUSSAIN,SHABBAR | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | GALLUP | 389608.00 |
| LUCERO,EDWARD M | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | PHOENIX | 389608.00 |
| FABIAN,DEBORAH R | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | GALLUP | 374900.00 |
| TABAK,LAWRENCE A | HHS | DENTAL OFFICER | BETHESDA | 374320.00 |
| GEARHART,MICHAEL L | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | LAWTON | 373578.00 |
| NIX,MICAH D | HHS | MEDICAL OFFICER | CLAREMORE | 370270.00 |
Dr. Fauci is, of course, better known as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He was unknown to most Americans a few months ago but his role in trying to contain COVID-19 has made him a nationally known figure. Doctor Anthony Fauci has been the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984.
Our congratulations to all of the individuals on this list who have been so successful in their federal careers.
