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United States Secretary of Labor facts for kids

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United States Secretary of Labor
Flag of the United States Secretary of Labor.svg
Flag of the secretary
USDOL Seal circa 2015.svg
Seal of the department
Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer official portrait 2025 (54382448706).jpg
Incumbent
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
since March 11, 2025
United States Department of Labor
Style Madam Secretary (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
Member of Cabinet
Reports to President of the United States
Seat Frances Perkins Building, Washington, D.C.
Appointer The president of the United States
with Senate advice and consent
Term length No fixed term
Constituting instrument 29 U.S.C. § 551
Precursor Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Formation March 4, 1913; 112 years ago (March 4, 1913)
First holder William B. Wilson
Succession Eleventh
Deputy Deputy Secretary of Labor
Salary Executive Schedule, Level I

The United States Secretary of Labor is a very important job in the American government. This person is part of the Cabinet of the United States, which is a group of top advisors to the President. The Secretary of Labor leads the United States Department of Labor. This department works to make sure jobs are fair and safe for everyone.

The Secretary of Labor helps create and enforce laws about workers' rights. This includes rules for unions, safety in the workplace, and solving problems between businesses and their employees. They work to improve working conditions and protect the rights of people who work in the United States.

History of the Secretary of Labor

Before 1913, there was one big department called the United States Department of Commerce and Labor. This department handled both business and labor issues. But in 1913, it split into two separate departments. One became the Department of Commerce, led by the Secretary of Commerce. The other became the Department of Labor, led by the Secretary of Labor.

The first person to hold the job of Secretary of Labor was William B. Wilson. He started on March 6, 1913. Later, Frances Perkins became the first woman to be Secretary of Labor in 1933. She served for a very long time, until 1945.

What the Secretary of Labor Earns

The Secretary of Labor holds a high-level position in the government. This job is called a "Level I position" on the Executive Schedule. As of January 2021, the Secretary of Labor earned a salary of $221,400 per year.

Current Secretary of Labor

The person who holds this important job right now is Lori Chavez-DeRemer. She was chosen by President Donald J. Trump and started her role on March 11, 2025.

Who Takes Over if Needed

Flag of the United States Secretary of Labor (1915–1960)
The former flag of the U.S. Secretary of Labor, used from 1915 to 1960.

Sometimes, the Secretary of Labor might not be able to do their job. This could be for many reasons, like if they are sick or leave the position. When this happens, there is a special order of people who can step in and take over temporarily. This is called the "line of succession."

The first person in line to take over is the Deputy Secretary of Labor. If that person is also unavailable, other high-ranking officials in the Department of Labor would follow in a specific order. This plan makes sure that the Department of Labor always has a leader.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Secretario de Trabajo de los Estados Unidos para niños

  • United States Deputy Secretary of Labor
  • United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General

Images for kids

  • Wilson-William-Bauchop (3x4 cropped)

    William B. Wilson, the first Secretary of Labor

  • James J. Davis Portrait (3x4 cropped b)

    James J. Davis

  • W.H. Doak (3x4 cropped)

    William N. Doak

  • Frances Perkins cph.3a04983

    Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labor

  • Lewis B. Schwellenbach, 1940

    Lewis B. Schwellenbach

  • Maurice J. Tobin (1)

    Maurice J. Tobin

  • Mpdurkin

    Martin P. Durkin

  • Jpmitchell

    James P. Mitchell

  • Arthur Goldberg (1971)

    Arthur Goldberg

  • W. Willard Wirtz

    W. Willard Wirtz

  • George Pratt Shultz, Secretary of State ME794-12 (3x4 cropped)

    George P. Shultz

  • Jdhodgson

    James D. Hodgson

  • Pjbrennan

    Peter J. Brennan

  • John Thomas Dunlop 2001 (cropped)

    John T. Dunlop

  • William Usery 2001 (cropped)

    William J. Usery Jr.

  • Frmarshall

    F. Ray Marshall

  • Rjdonovan

    Raymond J. Donovan

  • Bill brock

    William E. Brock

  • Portrait of Ann Dore McLaughlin, Under Secretary Dept. of Interior (3x4 cropped)

    Ann Dore McLaughlin

  • Elizabeth Dole face detail on 26 March 1981, from- Reagan Contact Sheet C1377 (cropped)

    Elizabeth Dole

  • Lynn Morley Martin (1)

    Lynn Morley Martin

  • Robert Reich Portrait (3x4 cropped)

    Robert Reich

  • Alexis osec

    Alexis Herman

  • Elaine Chao large

    Elaine Chao

  • Radzely Howard (3x4 cropped)

    Howard M. Radzely (Acting)

  • Hugler Edward (3x4 cropped)

    Edward C. Hugler (Acting)

  • Hilda Solis official DOL portrait

    Hilda Solis

  • Seth Harris DOL

    Seth Harris (Acting)

  • Tom Perez (cropped)

    Tom Perez

  • Alexander Acosta headshot

    Alexander Acosta

  • Patrick Pizzella, acting secretary (cropped)

    Patrick Pizzella (Acting)

  • Eugene Scalia (cropped)

    Eugene Scalia

  • Sec Al Stewart (3x4 cropped)

    Al Stewart (Acting)

  • Secretary Marty Walsh (cropped)

    Marty Walsh

  • Julie Su Portrait (cropped)

    Julie Su (Acting)

  • Vince Micone (3x4 cropped)

    Vince Micone (Acting)

  • Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer official portrait 2025 (cropped)

    Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the current Secretary of Labor

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