Government
Data updated April 3, 2025

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is an independent federal agency responsible for regulating US derivatives markets, including futures, swaps, and certain types of options. It oversees these markets to reduce financial risk, protect market participants from fraud and abuse, and help ensure fair and stable trading conditions. It was established in 1974.

In FY 2024,

$365M

was spent by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
In FY 2024,

<0.1%

of federal spending was by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

How much does the Commodity Futures Trading Commission spend?

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission spent $365.1 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.0054% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 47th among federal agencies in total spending.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of CFTC net spending compared to the top ten highest spending agencies in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s federal spending has increased from $63.2 million in 1980 to $365.1 million in 2024.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Yearly federal net spending by CFTC, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024

Since 1980, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's spending has increased 478.1%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
The department’s spending grew more than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget increased. In 2024, CFTC accounted for 0.0054% of all federal spending. That’s 0.00042 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.0026 points higher than in 1980.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to CFTC, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all CFTC spending.

How did the Commodity Futures Trading Commission spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to CFTC, FY 2024

How many people work for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission?

Some 726 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as of September 2024. This is 3.9% more people than the department staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has increased 3.9% since 2010.

Number of federal employees working for CFTC, September 2010–2024

CFTC accounts for 0.031% of the overall federal workforce. As the number of federal employees has changed, so too has the way the workforce is organized, with resources allocated to agencies depending on government priorities. CFTC constituted a smaller share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 than in 2010 (0.034%).
While the number of employees on an agency’s payroll contributes to that agency’s expenditures, some agencies have relatively few employees compared to their budget or vice versa, giving them an outsized share of either the budget or the workforce. According to the most recent data, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's share of the workforce (0.031%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.0054%).

Who leads the Commodity Futures Trading Commission?

The (CFTC) is led by a Chairman, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Chairman serves a five-year term, though they may continue to serve until a successor is appointed.

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Personnel Management

    FedScope

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo