How much do DOGE staffers really earn? Reports suggest their salaries far exceed Elon Musk’s 'zero compensation' claim

Despite Elon Musk’s bold promises of radical government cost-cutting and claims of "zero compensation" for his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, a recent investigation and analysis have revealed a startling truth. Musk’s staff is actually raking in eye-watering six-figure salaries, funded by taxpayer money, even as Musk asserts he works for free. But there’s more to this story than just discrepancies in pay—it's the cost to taxpayers that's leaving many shocked.

How Much Are DOGE’s Staff Really Earning?

Musk’s DOGE was set up to root out waste and inefficiency within the federal government. Musk himself has claimed that he does not accept any pay for his role, and that his staff would also be working for “zero” compensation. However, a report from the Partnership for Public Service (PSP) paints a very different picture. According to their findings, many key staff members at DOGE are pocketing six-figure salaries, all at the taxpayers’ expense. These positions, initially presented as volunteer roles with no pay, now list full-time salaried jobs for specialists and engineers.

The irony is striking: while Musk advocates for eliminating wasteful government spending, the very agency he heads has racked up a growing budget of $40 million, with some staff earning upwards of $100,000 annually. It appears that Musk’s plan to reduce federal spending is benefiting his staff quite handsomely, while the long-term effects of these reforms are beginning to show their cost to the public.

The True Cost of Musk's Cuts

According to CBS, DOGE’s claims to have saved the government $160 billion have been met with skepticism. While Musk’s team boasts about slashing contracts and laying off federal workers, a closer look reveals the full costs of these cuts. The Partnership for Public Service estimates that DOGE’s actions will ultimately cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year alone. This figure factors in costs such as paying federal employees who have been put on paid leave, the expensive process of rehiring workers mistakenly fired, and the lost productivity resulting from these decisions.

The analysis also touches on the long-term economic impact of these cuts, including the potential loss of $323 billion in tax revenue over the next decade due to the IRS slashing its workforce by 40%. These figures suggest that while DOGE may be saving money now, the ripple effect of job losses and inefficiencies could burden taxpayers for years to come.

How Musk's Reforms Are Playing Out in Reality

Musk’s efforts have certainly caused a stir. The Department of Government Efficiency has sought to cut costs by encouraging workers to accept deferred resignation plans, which allowed them to remain on full pay without working. However, many employees, such as bird flu experts dismissed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, have been rehired after being let go due to administrative errors. Furthermore, federal workers have been tasked with documenting their weekly accomplishments, a move that has led to a significant dip in productivity across multiple agencies.

The idea of trimming the federal workforce to reduce waste is not inherently flawed, but the execution under DOGE has sparked growing concern. According to Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, the real issue is that “waste” is still a common problem under Musk’s leadership, but now it’s just affecting the federal employees and productivity in a different way.

A Growing Backlash

The White House has defended the DOGE reforms, citing the need for more efficiency in government operations. However, the public is not convinced. Along with the financial fallout, Musk’s government work has led to protests, boycotts of Tesla products, and even incidents of vandalism at Tesla showrooms. Some critics, like Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, have questioned whether Musk's business acumen truly translates into effective governance, especially when the cuts to vital services and staff impact the economy.

Musk's push to drastically reduce government spending also faces mounting criticism for its potential long-term effects. For instance, experts have warned that cuts to health and science research could lead to a $16 billion annual economic loss and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

What’s Next for Musk and DOGE?

Musk has announced that starting in May, he will scale back his time at DOGE, dedicating just one to two days a week to continuing his work. With his attention shifting back to Tesla, which has suffered a 71% drop in profit and a 20% decline in vehicle sales, many are wondering if Musk can balance both his business interests and his controversial government role.

As Musk tries to balance his vision of government reform with the mounting public backlash, the question remains: will his plan ultimately save the government money, or will it come at a steep cost to the very taxpayers he promised to serve? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—Musk’s time at DOGE is proving to be as divisive as it is expensive.