President Biden’s White House staff size and turnover rates have been a topic of discussion since he took office in 2021. According to a report from Open the Books, the White House currently has 565 staffers, making it the largest staff since President Richard Nixon’s administration. The cost of maintaining this staff amounts to nearly $61 million, slightly higher than the record-setting cost of $60.8 million during Biden’s first year in office.
Compared to past administrations, President Biden’s staff size is significantly larger. Former President Donald Trump had a staff of 413 in Fiscal Year 2020, while former President Barack Obama had 468 staffers in Fiscal Year 2012. The increase in staff size under President Biden has been accompanied by a high turnover rate, with 435 of the initial 560 employees having left their positions since the numbers were first reported.
First Lady Jill Biden’s staff has also seen an increase, with 24 staffers in 2024. This number matches the count of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s staff in 2009 and surpasses the 11 staffers former First Lady Melania Trump had during her time in the White House. The first lady’s staff includes advisers in areas such as foreign policy, education, and healthcare, costing $2.5 million.
Despite the high number of staffers, President Biden’s current payroll of $60.8 million is higher than the payroll costs under both Trump and Obama. Obama’s highest payroll was $58.3 million (inflation-adjusted), while Trump’s was $52.2 million (inflation-adjusted). The highest-paid staffer in the Biden administration is Michelle Barrans, an associate counsel from the Securities and Exchange Commission, earning $251,258, followed by Farah Ahmad, a special advisor for economic development, who earns $191,900.
When asked about the increase in staff and turnover rates, a White House spokesperson attributed the rise in staff numbers to building out teams with specific policy focuses, such as the Office of Pandemic Preparedness & Response Policy and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned that vacancies across various departments were filled over the past year, which were not reflected in the July 1, 2023 report.
Overall, President Biden’s administration has seen significant growth in staff size and payroll costs compared to past administrations, with a turnover rate of 77% since he took office. As the administration continues to address various policy issues and initiatives, the size and composition of the White House staff will likely continue to evolve.
