Not only are there at least two calligraphers on the White House staff (one makes about $84,400 annually and the other has a salary of $102,000), but they have a boss—the Chief Calligrapher. Currently, that role pays $109,200. While it might sound like a breezy gig involving fancy handwriting, the Chief Calligrapher is responsible for the design and execution of both social and official White House documents.
The Director of the Presidential Gift Office makes $58,200 and keeps track of the items given to POTUS during his administration. You see, as pointed out by Marie Claire, these presents don’t actually belong to the president unless he buys them at market value after his time in office. Otherwise, they are put in the National Archives, which is why it’s so important for a White House staffer to keep track of the many things procured during each term.
For regular folks using talk to text on our cell phones is the easiest way to log a message. When you’re the president, you need stenographers following you around to make note of your every word. The White House employes a team of stenographers who all do a lot of cardio to get the job done, whose salaries range from $58,200 to $98,900 for the department’s director.
The White House does, indeed, have its very own beehive. When former President Barack Obama stepped into office, First Lady Michelle Obama wanted a hive to help pollinate her beloved garden. According to National Geographic, the honey collected from the hive is given as gifts and also used in the culinary creations served at the White House. During the Obama administration, Charles Brandts was the beekeeper for the job. Today, Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison maintains the hive.
Now here’s a job that didn’t exist in the early days of the United States presidency. A White House digital content producer earns $72,700 a year. This person is responsible for conveying the president’s message across digital platforms, relaying pertinent information through all the official White House channels.
There are a lot of comings and goings from the White House, so an in-house travel office is a must. One senior travel manager makes $64,400 and a trip manager earns $72,700. The Director of the White House Travel Office makes substantially more at $106,000. Travel is stressful for most of us, getting government officials to and from their destinations on a tight schedule feels downright migraine-inducing. Not to mention that flying commercial is something presidents absolutely cannot do while in office.