The United States secretary of labor is a member of the Cabinet of the United States, and as the head of the United States Department of Labor, controls the department, and enforces and suggests laws involving unions, the workplace, and all other issues involving any form of business-person controversies.
Formerly, there was a Department of Commerce and Labor. That department split into two in 1913. The Department of Commerce is headed by the secretary of commerce.
Secretary of labor is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule, thus earning a salary of $253,100 as of January 2026.
Since October 2, 2026 the secretary is Keith Sonderling, who was confirmed by the Senate on September 30, 2026 having previously served as acting secretary from April 20, 2026 to October 2, 2026.
List of secretaries of labor Parties (13) (17)
Status
No.PortraitNameState of residenceTook officeLeft officePresident(s)Pennsylvania(1913–1921)Pennsylvania(1921–1923)(1923–1929)(1929–1933)VirginiaNew York(1933–1945)(1945–1953)WashingtonMassachusettsMaryland(1953–1961)New JerseyIllinois(1961–1963)Illinois(1963–1969)Illinois(1969–1974)CaliforniaNew York(1974–1977)MassachusettsGeorgiaTexas(1977–1981)New Jersey(1981–1989)TennesseeDistrict of ColumbiaKansas(1989–1993)IllinoisMassachusetts(1993–2001)AlabamaKentucky(2001–2009)Pennsylvania(2009–2017) Pennsylvania California New York Maryland Pennsylvania(2017–2021)Florida Virginia VirginiaVirginia(2021–2025)MassachusettsCalifornia(2025–present)OregonFloridaIncumbent
Line of succession
The line of succession for the Secretary of Labor is as follows: Deputy Secretary of Labor Solicitor of Labor Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management Assistant Secretary for Policy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Chief Financial Officer Administrator, Wage and Hour Division Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Deputy Solicitor of Labor (First Assistant of the Solicitor of Labor) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy (First Assistant of the Assistant Secretary for Policy) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (First Assistant of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training (First Assistant of the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy (First Assistant of the Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health (First Assistant of the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health (First Assistant of the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health) Regional Solicitor—Dallas Regional Administrator for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management—Region VI/Dallas
Secretary succession If none of the above officials are available to serve as Acting Secretary of Labor, the Designated Secretarial Designee assumes interim operational control over the Department, except the Secretary's non-delegable responsibilities. Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director of the Women's Bureau Regional Administrator, Employment and Training Administration—Dallas Regional Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration—Dallas
See also United States Deputy Secretary of Labor United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General
References
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