Government

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The Department of State (State Department, DOS) is an executive branch agency responsible for conducting US foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Its functions include negotiating treaties, representing the US in international organizations, issuing passports and visas, coordinating refugee and humanitarian assistance, and overseeing foreign aid and embassy operations. It was established in 1789. 

In FY 2024,

$38.8B

was spent by the State Department
In FY 2024,

0.6%

of federal spending was by the State Department

How much does the Department of State spend?

The State Department spent $38.8 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.6% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 15th among federal agencies in total spending.

The State Department accounted for 0.6% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of DOS 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 State Department’s federal spending has increased from $10.4 billion in 1980 to $38.8 billion in 2024.

The State Department’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

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

Since 1980, the State Department's spending has increased 272.5%, 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, DOS accounted for 0.6% of all federal spending. That’s 0.3 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.1 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 State Department’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to DOS, 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 State Department's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all DOS spending.

How did the State Department spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to DOS, FY 2024

Read related content about the Department of State:

How many people work for the Department of State?

Some 15,000 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the State Department as of September 2024. This is 22.7% more people than the department staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the State Department has increased 22.7% since 2010.

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

DOS accounts for 0.6% 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. DOS constituted a similar share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 than in 2010 (0.6%).
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 State Department’s share of the workforce (0.6%) is equal to its share of the budget (0.6%).

Who leads the Department of State?

The State Department is headed by the secretary of State, who is nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and then sworn into office. They are one of the 15 cabinet members who serve at the president’s discretion. This appointed position typically ends when the appointee resigns, is replaced, or when a new president assumes office and appoints their own cabinet, though some may serve temporarily during transitions between administrations.

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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