(NewsNation) — A president’s Cabinet is an advisory group of people who make up the heads of the 15 executive departments.
Each is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced some of his Cabinet picks, which include Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as the proposed secretary of state and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as the proposed Homeland Security secretary.
If they pass the Senate’s confirmation, their Cabinet salaries will be more than their previous compensations.
Average salaries for Cabinet members
As of January, the annual rate of pay for Level I Executive positions is $246,400, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. These positions include all 15 Cabinet roles.
Departments with leaders in the Cabinet include: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs and the Attorney General.
In comparison, the salary for most U.S. senators and representatives is $174,000, which has remained unchanged since 2009. Exceptions include speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate and the majority and minority leaders of both chambers, all of which are paid more.
Federal employee benefits
As a federal employee, Cabinet members receive a generous employee compensation package beyond salary.
Although many of Trump’s picks are financially established and well off already, they can receive student loan forgiveness as a person in public service.
They get 11 paid holidays, child care and commuter subsidies, paid parental leave up to 12 weeks, health and life insurance, retirement benefits and more.