Government

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The US Coast Guard (USCG) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and stewardship of the nation's waters. The agency conducts search and rescue operations, enforces maritime law, and protects the marine environment. It also supports national defense and responds to natural and man-made disasters. It was established in 1790.

In FY 2024,

$13.1B

was spent by the Coast Guard
In FY 2024,

14.7%

of Dept. of Homeland Security spending was by the Coast Guard

How much does the Coast Guard spend?

The Coast Guard spent a net total of $13.1 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 14.7% of the $89.3 billion spent by the Department of Homeland Security, which itself was 1.3% of all federal spending. The USCG ranked second among DHS subdivisions in net spending.
Net spending is the difference between agency spending and any financial accounts generating funds from the agency’s own activities, like fees or rent. When these funds offset all spending, net spending appears negative. Some agencies tend to operate with positive net spending while others will register negative net spending sometimes or often.

The Coast Guard ranked second among Department of Homeland Security divisions in net spending in 2024.

DHS net spending by division, FY 2024

Like the overall federal budget, agency spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the Coast Guard’s federal spending has increased from $6.37 billion in 1980 to $13.1 billion in 2024.

The Coast Guard’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

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

Since 1980, the Coast Guard's spending has increased 106.2%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
As a percentage of the overall federal budget, a positive number means agency net spending made up some positive share of total federal spending; a negative number means that net generated funds offset a portion of total spending. USCG spending grew less than overall federal spending since 1980, which means that its share of the federal budget decreased. In 2024, USCG accounted for 0.2% of overall federal spending.

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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 Coast Guard’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Net spending by USCG as a share of federal spending, 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, the Coast Guard transferred 1.0% of its total spending to states and local governments.
The chart below outlines all net USCG spending.

How did the Coast Guard spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to USCG, FY 2024

How many people work for the Coast Guard?

Some 9,677 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the Coast Guard as of September 2024. This is 16.8% more people than the division staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the Coast Guard has increased 16.8% since 2010.

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

The Coast Guard accounts for 0.4% 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. The division constituted a similar share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 compared to 2010 (0.4%).
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 Coast Guard’s share of the workforce (0.4%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.2%).

Who leads the US Coast Guard?

The US Coast Guard is led by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. This individual is appointed by the President of the United States and requires confirmation by the Senate. The Commandant reports to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The Commandant serves a term of four years, which can be renewed.

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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