HOUSTON (NEXSTAR/KIAH) — Dr. Anthony Fauci is reportedly the highest-paid federal employee in the United States, even surpassing the president, according to Forbes.
Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, earned $417,608 in 2019. In comparison, the president earns $400,000.
Fauci earned a little more than twice as much as senators and House members, who make $174,000 a year. The exception is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who will earn $223,500 this year.
In other comparisons to Fauci — who holds the titles of director of the National Institute for Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and current Chief Medical Advisor to the President — Chief Justice John Roberts makes $270,700, and four-star military generals rake in $268,000.
The salary data is based on OpenTheBooks.com via Freedom of Information Act requests, and only taxpayer-funded federal salaries were included in the study.
In case you’re wondering, the 80-year-old Fauci said he has not invested in the COVID-19 vaccine. He said in an Aug. 13 Instagram interview with actor Matthew McConaughey: “Matthew, no, I got zero! I am a government worker. I have a government salary.”