When you look at Tim Burchett, you see a guy who looks like he’d rather be fixing a tractor than sitting in a mahogany-paneled committee room. He’s the Tennessee congressman who’s become a household name for grilling Pentagon officials about UFOs (or UAPs, if you want to be fancy). But behind the "Dad-core" vests and the Southern drawl, people are constantly asking about the money. Specifically, what is Tim Burchett net worth in 2026?
Honestly, the answer isn’t what you’d expect from a high-profile politician in D.C. He isn't sitting on a mountain of tech stocks or a private equity empire.
In a world where some of his colleagues seem to have a magic touch for timing the market, Burchett's financial profile looks remarkably... normal. Maybe even a little lean for a guy who has spent decades in the public eye.
The Reality of a Congressional Salary
Let’s start with the basics. Like almost every other member of the House of Representatives, Tim Burchett pulls in a base salary of $174,000 a year.
That sounds like a lot to most folks. And it is. But in Washington D.C., where a sandwich costs twenty bucks and rent for a studio apartment is astronomical, that money doesn’t go as far as you’d think. Burchett has been earning this since he took office in 2019, following his stint as the Knox County Mayor.
If you’re trying to calculate Tim Burchett net worth, you have to look at the mandatory financial disclosures. These are the documents members of Congress have to file every year to prove they aren't doing anything shady.
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- 2024 Filing: His most recent reports show a collection of modest assets.
- Checking & Savings: He keeps between $1,001 and $15,000 in a couple of First Century Bank accounts.
- Mutual Funds: He’s got stakes in the American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond Fund and the New Economy Fund, both valued in the $1,001 to $15,000 range.
- ETFs: A small slice of the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).
When you add up these specific assets, we’re talking about tens of thousands, not millions. It’s the kind of portfolio you’d see from a high school principal or a small-town lawyer who’s playing it safe.
The Big Assets (and the Big Debts)
Here’s where it gets a little more complex. To understand the true Tim Burchett net worth, you have to look at his real estate and his liabilities.
Burchett owns rental property in Knoxville, Tennessee. According to his filings, this property is valued between $50,001 and $100,000. It brings in a little extra "unearned income"—roughly $15,000 to $50,000 in rent annually.
But wait. There’s the debt.
Politics isn't all glamor. In 2020, Burchett disclosed a massive mortgage from First Century Bank. We’re talking a liability in the range of $1,000,001 to $5,000,000.
That’s a heavy lift. When you have a million-dollar-plus mortgage and your salary is $174k, your "net worth" on paper can actually look quite small—or even negative—depending on the exact valuation of the home versus the remaining balance on the loan. He also listed a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) between $15,001 and $50,000 and an auto loan in a similar range.
Why the Numbers Vary
If you search for Tim Burchett net worth online, you'll see sites claiming he's worth $5 million. Others say it's $500,000.
Why the gap?
It's because the House disclosure forms don't ask for exact numbers. They ask for ranges. If an asset is listed as "$1,001 - $15,000," an aggressive estimator might use the $15k, while a conservative one uses the $1k.
Also, these forms don't require members to list the value of their primary residence—only the mortgage on it. So, if Tim's house in Tennessee has skyrocketed in value since he bought it, his actual net worth is much higher than what the forms suggest.
The "Stock Disclosure" Crusader
It’s kind of ironic that people dig into Burchett’s finances because he’s actually one of the loudest voices in Congress trying to stop politicians from trading stocks.
In late 2024, his "Timely Stock Disclosure Act" moved through the House Oversight Committee. He’s pushing to force members of Congress to report their trades within 15 to 30 days instead of the current 45-day window.
"Leaders in Congress and the Pentagon are far too comfortable keeping Americans in the dark," Burchett said recently.
He’s clearly trying to position himself as the "regular guy" who isn't using his office to get rich. His own stock portfolio—mostly consisting of broad mutual funds and very few individual stocks—backs up that image. He did sell off some Denny’s Corp (DENN) stock back in 2020, but that’s about as "Wall Street" as he gets.
Breaking Down the 2026 Outlook
As we move through 2026, Burchett's financial situation remains steady. He’s a "rank and file" member, meaning he doesn't get the extra pay that comes with being Speaker or a Majority Leader.
He’s also heavily involved in the UAP whistleblower movement. While this brings him a lot of "earned media" (appearances on podcasts and news shows), House rules generally prohibit members from taking speaking fees or "honoraria" for these appearances.
So, if you’re looking for a secret stash of cash, you probably won't find it.
What You Should Take Away
- Transparency is Key: Burchett’s net worth is tied up in a Knoxville rental property and standard retirement funds.
- Debt Matters: That $1M+ mortgage is the biggest factor weighing down his liquid net worth.
- The Salary Cap: Until Congress votes to raise their own pay—which is political suicide—his primary income is capped at $174,000.
- Consistency: He has a pension from the State of Tennessee from his time in the legislature, providing a safety net for his eventual retirement.
If you're curious about how your own representative compares to Burchett, you can actually look these things up yourself. The Clerk of the House maintains a public database where every financial disclosure is uploaded. It's a bit of a clunky website, but if you want to see the raw data behind Tim Burchett net worth, that’s the place to go.
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Check out the House Financial Disclosure Database to see the filings for yourself. It's a good habit to get into—seeing where the money comes from usually tells you a lot more about a politician than their campaign ads do.